A Baby Rabbit Story by Jeni Wittrock First Reader Juvenile Nonfiction * * * * Stars (Great!) A Baby Rabbit Story is about a mother rabbit that gives birth to a litter of baby rabbits. The story follows the bunnies’ development from helpless, hairless babies to self-sufficient adults (at 2 months). High quality photographs are paired with simple, but engaging text on facing pages. Large text-size and white (well, green, in this case) space make … Read more
Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Lucy’s family moves to New Hampshire and she becomes friends with some of the summer resident kids who also live around the lake. They spend their days together on “Loon patrol,” reporting on the activities of the loons nesting around the lake, kayaking, and hiking. When Lucy’s father – a famous photographer – tells her he’ll be judging a photography contest … Read more
The Silversix by AJ Lieberman Artwork by Darren Rawlings Graphic Novel Science FictionTween Graphic Novel/Science Fiction/Dystopia Phoebe is able to avoid detection for a year after her parents die in a shuttle explosion orchestrated by the evil Mr. Craven of the Craven Mining Corporation (which has a monopoly on the world’s fuel source – Hydro-2), but then someone manages to track a file transfer from her parents’ ship to her apartment, and she’s taken into … Read more
Paul Meets Bernadette by Rosy Lamb Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) Paul is a fish who spends his days swimming around and around his bowl. Then, one day, Bernadette drops in and shows him the Whole World outside their bowl. She’s very creative and Paul is very smitten. Thereafter, Paul’s new purpose is to swim around Bernadette. This is a very sweet story of friendship and the power of imagination. Paul and … Read more
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein Realistic Fiction Suspense Thriller * * * Stars (Pretty good) Just before the new public library is to open, Mr. Lemoncello – a famous game designer, whose monetary contributions helped fund the endeavor – sponsors an essay contest to choose twelve twelve-year-olds to spend the night at a special library lock-in. Kyle and his friend Akimi are among those chosen, and they team up to play games … Read more
Carnivores by Aaron Reynolds illustrated by Dan Santat Funny Picture book * * * Stars (Pretty good) A trio of carnivores form a support group because of hurt feelings – the animals they prey on make them feel bad. They try to become vegetarian. They try to disguise themselves and blend in. Finally, they invite the Great Horned Owl to come and speak to their group. He suggests that they accept who they are and … Read more
The Lemonade War By Jacqueline Davies Juvenile Fiction Realistic Fiction When we first meet Evan, he is not in a good mood. Then we are introduced to his younger sister, Jessie and we learn his bad mood has to do with her. Anyone who has a younger sibling can relate. These two have a lot of fun together, but when they learn that things are going to change in the upcoming school year, that’s when … Read more
Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) The first thing we learn about Sam is he has leukemia and he is dying. He is only eleven years old. These are tough topics for sure, but Sam doesn’t dwell on his sickness. He has school at home a couple days a week with his friend Felix and together they create adventures. Sam loves facts, making lists and he … Read more
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck Wimpy Kid #8 by Jeff Kinney Funny Illustrated Fiction Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Greg Heffley’s best friend, Rowley, has a girlfriend (Abigail), with whom he is spending all of his time, and Greg desperately needs to make some new friends. The prospects are pretty bleak, though, and Greg is hoping that the happy couple breaks up before it’s too late and he becomes some … Read more
The Garden of My Imaan By Farhana Zia Juvenile Fiction Realistic Fiction / Grades 4-7 * * * * Stars (Great!) Aliyah, fifth grader, is having a difficult year. She’s got two big projects to complete – one for elementary school on the topic “Respecting Ourselves and Others,” and another for religious school on self-improvement. Her biggest problem is that she’s still figuring out and getting comfortable with who she is – particularly as a … Read more