Judy Moody Saves the World

By Megan McDonald
Ilus. Peter H. Reynolds
Ages: 7-11

Judy Moody is my new favorite series. Judy Moody is a spunky third grader with an idea and dream for every occasion. When Judy’s class studies the environment, she is startled to learn about the destruction of the rain forest, the endangered species in her own backyard, and her family’s crummy recycling habits. Can she come up with a plan to save the world?

It starts with the Crazy Strips contest and a dream that she might see her very own band-aid design covering the knees of thousands children all over the world. When her “Heal the World” band-aid is awarded only honorable mention, Judy realizes that it is time to focus on something bigger. She drives her family insane by throwing out everything that comes from the rain forest, including her mother’s lipstick. When she decides to release her brother’s pet Toady, she may have gone too far. Can Judy whip the plant into shape?

Other books-Judy Moody Gets Famous, Judy Moody Predicts the Future, Judy Moody Declares Independence, www.judymoody.com for more books

Summer Reading for Gals

It's the three words that kids dread the most- back to school. Happily, there are still a few more weeks of glorious summer. Make the most of it with a few of these "girly" Young Adult books.

1. Fifteen by Beverly Cleary
2. My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison
3. I'd Tell You I Love, but Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter*
4. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
5. Bras and Broomsticks: Magic in Manhattan Series by Sarah Mylnowski*
6. Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson*

* indicates a previously reviewed book

Squids Will be Squids: Fresh Morals and Beastly Fables

written by Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith
ages: 7-12 or the author's recommendation of 49-630 (in dog years)

In this quirky twist on Aesop's fables, Squids Will be Squids authors Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith reinvent morals for today's reader. This is a collection of fables that Aesop "might have written if he were alive today." Gone are the tortoise and the hare, the crow and the fox; here are the frog's new shoes, elephant and mosquito, he who..., little walrus, and duck billed platypus versus beefsnakstik. With reinvented animals and modern morals, Squids Will be Squids is sure to become a belly laughing favorite in your home.

Written by the authors of The True Story of the Three Little Pigs and The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales, Squids Will be Squids lives up to its quirky title. This book is cleverly written and wonderfully irreverent. However, there are two incidents in the book that might be considered questionable; there is a bit of name calling and one of the morals is "he who smelt it, delt it." This is a book that you might choose to preview; be mindful though, it promises a good laugh.

The Art of Keeping Cool

by Janet Taylor Lisle


Ages- 10+

In The Art of Keeping Cool, by Janet Taylor Lisle, Elliot and Robert learn to deal with prejudice on a personal level. Robert and Elliot, who are cousins, live in Rhode Island during World War II time period. The setting plays an important role in this story as it does in all historical fiction books.

The story begins with Elliot and Robert, who are cousins and friends, living in the same house on the East Coast of the United States during World War II. Abe Hoffman, an artist, from Germany escaped and immigrated to Rhode Island. At the county fair, Elliot meets Abe and notices that Elliot is good at art. Abe is generous enough to let him take art lessons from him and let him use his supplies. Supplies are rare because war rations. After several U-Boat attacks, townsfolk begin to think Abe is a German spy. Although everyone in the town believes Abe was guilty, Robert and Elliot knew the truth that he was not a spy.

I love World War II therefore; this book really caught my interest. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy the subject of World War II. Readers should have a wide vocabulary, understand basic events of World War II, and should be at least ten years and older. This book contains material (killing) that might be inappropriate for children under the age of ten. Overall, my rating was 10 out of 10.

By: Grant (12 years old)

I Am Too Absolutely Small for School (Charlie and Lola Series)

written and illustrated by Lauren Child
ages: k-3

It is almost the- gulp- first day of school and Lola is feeling worried. Lola spends most of the book creating reasons for why she doesn't need to go to school; she already knows the important things, like how to use the telephone (so who needs to learn to write) or how to count to 100 (nobody eats more than 10 cookies at a time....). In the end, Lola goes to school to help Soren Lorensen, her imaginary friend, feel less afraid. In the end though, with reassurances from big brother Charlie, Lola realizes that school might now be all that bad. It is Charlie's resourcefulness and patience that helps her come to the conclusion that school might actually be worthwhile- and maybe even a little bit fun.

This is a great book choice for back to school. Humorous and fun, it is a gentle reminder to children than even something as scary as school can end up being quite wonderful. Child's whimsical collages really add to this charming book.

Beck and the Great Berry Battle

Beck and the Great Berry Battle
By Laura Driscoll
Illus. Judith Holmes Clarke & Disney storybook artists

Ages-7 to 10 years old

This series is for the children who love Disney and fairies. Disney has produced a movie about Tinker Bell and her friends and has written books to keep the fairy world alive. The books don’t follow the movie, but introduce readers to more fairies that live in Never Land.

Beck is fairy in Never Land. She is the best animal-talent fairy. Every fairy has a special talent that helps keep balance in the forest. Beck is able to communicate with animals. The hummingbirds and the chipmunks start a Berry war which escalates when other animals join sides. Can Beck get the bottom of the misunderstanding and convince the animals to stop fighting?

It is another decent, very strong moralistic story in the series. It shows how easily fights can start and stupidity of wars and the reasons for them. It demonstrates that people can decide to cooperate rather than fight, and things are much better that way. I was introduced to this series by my 8 year old niece. It is very popular with the 3rd and 4th grade girls. This series can help reluctant readers make the difficult transition from picture books to chapter books.
If you are interested in learning more about these books, of course, Disney has a website- http://disney.go.com/fairies/

The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child: Volume 1: Ancient Times: From the Earliest Nomads to the Last Roman Emperor

written by Susan Wise Bauer, Joyce Crandell, Jeff West (illustrator)
appropriate for elementary grades k-5 (and their parents)

Formatted to be read aloud, The Story of the World is as engaging as it is fascinating. This is the first in a series of four books exploring the world's great civilizations. A workbook is also available with this series as well as cd's. Topics include: First Nomads, Egypt, the Jewish People, Abraham and Joseph, Hammurabi and the Babylonians, the Assyrians, Ancient China, Ancient Africa, Exodus, the Phoenicians, the Greeks and Rome. Here are some of the questions that are answered in The Story of the World:

What terrible secret was buried in Shi Huangdi's tomb? Did nomads like lizard stew and did they bathe? Who was Homer? And how did a six-year-old become the last emperor of Rome?

School days are fast approaching and there's nothing like spending some quality time with your kids reviewing and learning during the summer. Intelligently written and interesting, this is simply a great book.

I'd Tell you I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You

written by Ally Carter
Young Adult

Being a spy is never easy- especially when you're a teenager. Cammie Morgan attends the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women; a super secret spy school for girls. While the school looks average on the outside, there isn't anything ordinary about it. Cammie may speak 14 languages, excel at advanced martial arts, and decode with the best of them; but what happens when she finds herself in the real world and faced with- gasp- a boy?

The first in a series of four, I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You, is fun and fast paced. This is the perfect book to read while lounging at the beach or by the pool.

Who are You, Baby Kangaroo?

by Stella Blackstone

Ilustrated by Clare Beaton
Ages: Pre-readers

A little puppy desires to know the name of the baby kangaroo. The baby kangaroo suggests the puppy asks other animals to find the answer. The puppy travels around the world asking wolf cubs, piglets, penguin chicks, zebra foals, tadpoles, and other various baby animals, what’s the name of a baby kangaroo? The other baby animals don’t know and send him to another baby animal. Finally, the beaver kittens suggest asking baby kangaroo’s mother. The puppy learns the name of the baby kangaroo. While you are following the little puppy in his journey, the ready learns the names of animal babies.
The illustrations are unique and not typical drawings. The illustrator’s creativity of using felt fabric as the pictures helps readers want to touch and feel the page given the book texture and depth.

Cooking Rocks! Rachael Ray 30-Minute Meals for Kids

written by Rachael Ray
ages: 4 and up

In Cooking Rocks! celebrity chef Rachael Ray provides fun and easy recipes that kids can create with the assistance of a grown-up helper (or GH) or all alone with some great Rachael guidance. This cookbook is divided into age-appropriate sections: 4-6 years old, 7-11 years old, and 12-16 years old (and up). There are also chapters on beverages and snacks, submarine sandwiches, kitchen basics, and how to be a great grown0up helper. My kids have thoroughly enjoyed using this book- it has provided the opportunity for us to be together in the kitchen just talking and having fun. Although these dishes may take more than 30 minutes, the recipes that we have tried have been mouthwatering. One to try: chicken toes. Sounds odd, tastes great!