Prairie Evers by Ellen Airgood Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) When Prairie’s parents move them to New York (from North Carolina) to take over Prairie’s grandparents’ farmstead, Prairie isn’t thrilled – especially when her Grammy, who lives with them, announces that she’s moving back to NC. And things don’t improve immediately, either. Prairie also has to go to public school for the first time in her life and the kids there tease … Read more
Hippospotamus by Jeanne Willis Picture book * * * Stars (Pretty good) Hippopotamus discovers a red spot on her bottom(us) and tries to do something about it. Her friends and acquaintances all have ideas about what may have caused it and how Hippopotamus can cure it. To no avail – none of their treatments work. Hippopotamus remains be-spotted until a boy makes a positive identification. Not a spot after all, it’s a…well, that would be … Read more
Bad to the Bone Down Girl and Sit #2 by Lucy Nolan Funny Juvenile Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Down Girl and Sit are back (as are Hush and Here Kitty Kitty)! In book #2, the dogs try to keep their owners safe (by patrolling their backyards at night) and end up keeping the whole neighborhood awake. When their owners (at the end of their leashes!) get fed up with their dogs’ behavior, … Read more
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken Adventure Classics Historical Fiction Suspense Thriller * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Bonnie’s cousin Sylvia comes to live with her when Sylvia’s elderly aunt Jane feels she can no longer care for her properly. Bonnie’s own parents are leaving on a sea voyage – in an attempt to improve her mother’s health – and the girls are to be left in the care of a distant … Read more
The Christmas Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood Illustrated by Renata Liwska Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) Experience these carefully selected, quiet moments of Christmas through, “The Christmas Quiet Book.” There are all kinds of quiet: Hoping for a snow day quiet, Knocking with mittens quiet, Shattered ornament quiet, Listening for sleigh bells quiet, and more. Readers of all ages will enjoy the memories, feelings, and emotions they evoke. Sometimes, when a picture … Read more
Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea Realistic Fiction * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) This is Rob Buyea’s first novel. It is an exciting ride, with twists and turns about friendships, growing up and life. The story is told from seven students’ viewpoints from Mr. Terupt’s fifth grade class, which might sound like a lot, but each one has a distinct personality which shines through in his writing. And it reminds us that … Read more
Star Wars: Jedi Academy Jedi Academy #1 by Jeffrey Brown Illustrated Fiction Graphic Novel Science Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Roan lives on Tatooine. He likes drawing comics and is looking forward to going to Pilot School. But his hopes are dashed when he learns that his application to Pilot School has been rejected – what now? Will he have to stay on Tatooine and be a farmer? He doesn’t exactly have a … Read more
Stardines Swim High Across the Sky and Other Poems by Jack Prelutsky Picture Book Poetry * * * * Stars (Great!) Jack Prelutsky’s poetic field guide to some neologistic creatures – carefully documented in the collages created by artist, Carin Berger – offers much to delight. From the titular “Stardines” which light the night skies and grant wishes, to the ChOrMOranTs who spend all their time engaged in pointless (but very important to them!) tasks … Read more
The Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwartz illustrated by Dan Santat Picture book * * * * Stars (Great!) This book gets points for being an excellent (and funny) story that actually uses rhyme to good effect (unlike a lot of the picture books I’ve been reading lately). A retelling of the Three Little Pigs, these 3 pigs decide to go on the offensive and prepare themselves for a wolf attack by taking classes … Read more
Zoe Gets Ready by Bethanie Deeney Murguia Picture Book * * * Stars (Pretty good) It’s Saturday and it’s Zoe’s day to pick out what she wants to wear (instead of having to wear what other people choose for her). But she’s having trouble deciding. What kind of day is it going to be, and how does she want to spend it? One must, after all, be prepared for anything (and everything). After her mother … Read more