America the Beautiful

by Minor Wendell
Poem by Katharine Lee Bates
Ages-3-8

American the Beautiful takes the poem/song written by Katharine Lee Bates and combines it with amazing illustrations to match the words in the poem. Each page is filled with bold images of America’s landscape: the plains in the Midwest, city lights in New York, bayou in the south, Mount Rushmore, and the Rocky Mountains. The illustrations fill the entire page giving the illusion that the reader is there in the picture. You can feel the wind in the grasses and smell the fresh air. You gain and love and understanding of the poem/song written by Katharine Lee Bates.

What's that AWFUL Smell?

written by Heather Tekavec and illustrated by Margaret Spengler
grades: k-3

Something is stinky in the barnyard! All dog wants is a nice nap in the cool barn, but something smells awful! The dog, cows, sheep, and duck spend the hot afternoon trying to figure out what could be causing the smell, when they discover an innocent pink piglet. The animals decide that it must be the piglet that is so smelly. They try everything to make the piglet smell pretty- a bath, flowers, and even strawberry juice, but nothing helps! Find out what really is causing the awful smell in the barn-it just might come from someplace that they least expect.

Kids and parents alike will enjoy this fun read aloud storybook.

The Wednesday Wars

The Wednesday Wars
by Gary Schmidt
Ages 11+
Newberry and Printz Honors

Schmidt creates a story about a young boy growing up and his family and their experiences during the difficult 1960’s. A typical 7th grader believes his teacher hates him because he is stuck with her on Wednesday afternoons when the rest of the class attends various church activities. His teacher makes him read Shakespeare novels and other various activities that he sees as punishment. 1967-1968 was a hard year in American History; Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bobby Kennedy were shot, race riots and protests were happening. Holling’s older sister embraces the flower girl philosophy of the time. Holling’s parents were very traditional and his father was more focused on wealth and prestige in the community. Readers relate to Holling’s difficulties at school and home.

The book seems as it might be serious considering the historical background, but it is not that serious. The book contains quite a bit of humor. It is typical middle school boy humor, but not gross or overdone (tasteful.) I loved this book and laughed aloud a few times.

A great quote from the book:
"That’s the way it is in the real world.

It’s not always smiles. Sometimes the real world is like Hamlet. A little scared. Unsure. A little angry. Wishing that you could fix something that you can’t fix. Hoping that maybe something would fix itself, but thinking that hoping that way is stupid."

Bras and Broomsticks-Magic in Manhattan Series

written by Sarah Mlynowski
ages 13-18, but even adults would enjoy it (I certainly did!)

14-year old Rachel Weinstein finally sees the cure for all of her teenage woes--magic courtesy of her witch sister! It all starts when Rachel's shoes inexplicably morph into a fabulous silver pair that she had been admiring at Bloomingdale's. Rachel hurries home only to find out that the fabulous shoes appeared on her feet compliments of her sister Miri. Rachel soon discovers that her sister and her mother are witches. While Miri is concerned with using her magic for things like world peace and ending hunger, Rachel begins scheming to use magic to attract the attention of her popular crush, dance without looking like she's being electrocuted, and stopping her Dad's wedding. Rachel soon discovers that (most) things are better off without the use of magic and that being yourself is paramount. Although Rachel is disappointed because she isn't the one who inherited magical powers, she may be more magical than she thinks....

Rachel and Miri are truly unique and charming characters who bungle spells and get into their fair share of mischief. This hilarious book is the first of four in the Magic in Manhattan Series. Bras and Broomsticks is a quick read that would be a wonderful choice for the young adult who is a reluctant reader.

Cinderella's Rat

written and illustrated by Susan Meddaugh
grades: k-3

What really happened when Cinderella was at the Royal ball? Learn all about the rat who was turned into the coachman and the adventures that he has while Cinderella is meeting Prince Charming. When the rat and his sister, Ruth, are caught in a trap, they are certain that it is the end. But instead of being killed, the rat is turned into a coachman by Cinderella's fairy Godmother and his evening takes a very different turn. Follow Cinderella's rat as he helps in the castle larder, finds his sister, visits a bumbling sorcerer, and finally what happens when a the sorcerer's spells go horribly awry.

This is a comical and fun twist on a beloved fairytale and its lesser known characters. Cinderella's Rat is a perfect book for the very curious and those who have big imaginations.

Lila Bloom

written and illustrated by Alexander Stadler
Ages 3-10

Lila Bloom had a bad day and was angry. After school, she did not want to go to ballet class and decided it would be her last day of ballet. At first, Lila was not dancing well and the teacher commented on it. Then, Lila wanted to show the teacher that she was the best dancer in class and make the teacher miss her. Lila started to get better and realized that she was not angry anymore. Now, the bad day had turned into a good day.

The theme of changing one’s attitude is what makes all readers able to relate to this book. It also has a strong appeal to young girls who love dancing.

Russell the Sheep

written and illustrated by Ron Scotton
ages: 3-7

Russell the sheep just can't get to sleep! As all of the sheep around him are snoozing, Russell is trying everything he can think of to get some z's. He tries making it darker, pulling up a pillow, going for a walk, even sleeping in a hollow tree (watch out for those bats Russell!). Will Russell ever get to sleep?

This charming picture book is an ideal bedtime story. The illustrations are truly delightful and readers will enjoy cheering Russell on to sleep. Goodnight Russell!

Walk Two Moons

Walk Two Moons
By Sharon Creech
Grades 6 +

Salamanca (Sal) Tree Hiddle takes a road trip with her grandparents to find her mother who left home following the loss of her baby. During the road trip, Sal tells her grandparents a story about her best friend, Phoebe Winterbottom. Phoebe’s mother, like Sal’s mother, unexpectedly decides to leave home and Sal becomes caught up in the drama of Phoebe’s family. As Sal tells her story, she intersperses Phoebe’s story with memories of her mother. As the road trip comes to end, Sal’s grandmother becomes ill and is taken to the nearest hospital and Sal decides to complete the rest of the trip by herself. Walk Two Moons is a novel exploring a father and daughter trying to rebuild their lives following loss.

This Newberry Award winning novel is a very touching story of a young girl dealing with the reality of her life. As Sal tells the parallel story of her best friend, she gradually accepts her own circumstances. Once she accepts them, she is able to move on with her life. This is a great story about dealing with the death of a loved one and moving on, but not forgetting those whom you loved.

Three Silly Billies

by Margie Palatini illustrated by Barry Moser
ages: k-3

Welcome to Trollgate plaza, home of the grumpiest old troll you'd ever want to meet. The three billy goats, Billy Bob, Billy Bo, and Just Plain Billy are on their way to the beach for a day of fun. When the three brothers reach a wooden bridge that crosses a very deep river, a voice calls out, "hold your horsepower.... This is a troll bridge. I'm the troll. Now, start passing the buck." When the three billy goats don't have enough money to pass over the troll bridge, they get creative and start a car pool. Out comes the plastic swimming pool and and water wings as they wait for others to share the fare. The goats soon pool their pennies with the Three Bears, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack and are able to float across the bridge in style. But there is a surprise in store for the mean old troll in the classic folktale with a new twist.

This hysterical version of the Three Billy Goats Gruff will surely have children laughing. This is a great read-aloud book with plenty of fun for parent and child--especially if you can manage a great grumpy old troll voice.

Hurricanes

by Seymour Simon
Grades 3-6

This book is for students who want to learn more about hurricanes. This book pairs up simple explanations with amazing photos to help students learn more about hurricanes. You can learn about how a hurricane is formed, infamous hurricanes of the past, what makes hurricanes so dangerous and destructive, and the ways we track and monitor them. The pictures help keep the reader engaged and interested as they learn more about hurricanes. It is a great expository book for the inquiring students.

Seymour Simon is a children's award winning science author and has written over 250 science books for children.
Website: http://www.seymourscience.com