All posts by Julia

Spot Light • September 2014

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Lost in BermoodaLost in Bermooda

by Mike Litwin (Albert Whitman & Co., 2014)

Publisher Summary  Bermooda has no “outsiders,” and most prefer to keep it that way. That is, until Chuck ventures into the boneyard alone and discovers a young human boy who has been washed up unconscious on the sandbar! The young boy’s name is Dakota and doesn’t seem as scary as Chuck thought humans should be. Chuck decides to “cowmouflage” Dakota to pass as a bovine in town. Dakota and Chuck become fast friends, but trouble is brewing and Dakota’s true identity is at risk of being discovered.

Make Way for Books  This delightful first written work by illustrator Mike Litwin introduces readers to Bermooda, the island home to talking cows and a host of other colorful characters – a ‘flying’ pig, a plump gray cow whose yellow shirt is as bright as his personality, and an orange manic monkey, to name a few. When adventure-loving Chuck discovers Dakota (a hu’man) washed ashore, he offers help, protection, and a way back to hu’man civilization, almost. Word play and outlandish humor enfolds this budding-friendship tale that helps readers see the destruction of lies and the strength and hope of trust. And, through age-appropriate high-flying drama, Litwin shows how fearing the unknown leads to cowardice, not courage. Perfect for reluctant readers and for reading aloud.
Crown CowibbeanDon’t miss the recently-released sequel, Crown of the Cowibbean (Albert Whitman & Co., 2014), another delightful adventure that unfolds like a Pixar movie, complete with stormy seas, tight spots, and close calls, all on the waves of humorous narrative!

 

Extra CreditExtra Credit

by Andrew Clements (Simon & Schuster, 2011)

Publisher Summary  It isn’t that Abby Carson can’t do her schoolwork. She just doesn’t like doing it. And consequently, Abby will have to repeat sixth grade—unless she meets some specific conditions, including taking on an extra credit project: find a pen pal in a distant country. But when Abby’s first letter arrives at a small school in Afghanistan, complications arise. The elders agree that any letters going back to America must be written well, but the only qualified English-speaking student is a boy. And in this village, it’s not proper for a boy to correspond with a girl. So, Sadeed’s sister will dictate and sign the letters for him. But what about the villagers who believe that girls should not be anywhere near a school? And what about those who believe that any contact with Americans is…unhealthy?

As letters flow back and forth—between the prairies of Illinois and the mountains of central Asia, across cultural and religious divides, through the minefields of different lifestyles and traditions—a small group of children begin to speak and listen to each other. And in just a few short weeks, they make important discoveries about their communities, about their world, and most of all, about themselves.

Make Way for Books  Anyone who has struggled to conquer something seemingly impossible can relate to Abby’s challenge—in order to avoid being held back in school, she must move from lazy indifference to responsibility. This timeless tale of conquering obstacles and personal growth is just a small part of this story’s appeal. This is the story of two children who must learn who they are and what to believe. Their newly-forged friendship allows them to ask hard questions and to find the courage to influence their own communities. It is a story of the delicate balance between tradition and respect and making room for new people and ideas.

We enjoy many Andrew Clements’ titles. Be sure to check out the Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School series and the Jake Drake series.

We the Children Jake Drake Know-it-all

We the Children (Simon & Schuster, 2010)
Jake Drake Know-it-all (Simon & Schuster, 2007)

 

 

Going PlacesGoing Places

by Peter and Paul Reynolds

Publisher Summary  A go-cart contest inspires imagination to take flight in this picture book for creators of all ages, with art from New York Times bestselling illustrator Peter H. Reynolds.

It’s time for this year’s Going Places contest! Finally. Time to build a go-cart, race it—and win. Each kid grabs an identical kit, and scrambles to build. Everyone but Maya. She sure doesn’t seem to be in a hurry…and that sure doesn’t look like anybody else’s go-cart! But who said it had to be a go-cart? And who said there’s only one way to cross the finish line?

This sublime celebration of creative spirit and thinking outside the box—both figuratively and literally—is ideal for early learners, recent grads, and everyone in between.

Make Way for Books  Bright, colorful illustrations match the buoyant spirit of this story’s optimistic theme where the limitations of rules and instructions suddenly become a framework for creative opportunity. This endearing story is a unique challenge to inside-the-box thinking and helps readers discover freedom in understanding the intent of an instruction versus mindless adherence for the sake of adherence.

Share this for all ages. This is one of those unique children’s books that inspires adult readers to become childlike for a moment and consider this mindful freedom. Indeed, going places requires it.

BeamLightOn a Beam of Light

by Jennifer Berne, illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky

Publisher Summary  A boy rides a bicycle down a dusty road. But in his mind, he envisions himself traveling at a speed beyond imagining, on a beam of light. This brilliant mind will one day offer up some of the most revolutionary ideas ever conceived. From a boy endlessly fascinated by the wonders around him, Albert Einstein ultimately grows into a man of genius recognized the world over for profoundly illuminating our understanding of the universe. Jennifer Berne and Vladimir Radunsky invite the reader to travel along with Einstein on a journey full of curiosity, laughter, and scientific discovery. Parents and children alike will appreciate this moving story of the powerful difference imagination can make in any life.

Make Way for Books  “He wanted to discover the hidden mysteries in the world.” How is that done? Author, Jennifer Berne beautifully, almost methodically, unfolds Albert Einstein’s insatiable appetite for learning. He imagined the uncharted, he asked questions-questions-questions, he read, studied, and wondered. He thought and figured. A cohesive text-illustration marriage introduces readers to this unbounded, creative thinker through scrawl-like pictures and fun-loving trivia. Somehow, this brilliant individual becomes as down-to-earth as the rest of us, making us wonder if we too, could imagine the uncharted. A powerful and accessible biography for all ages.

Think Big

Words with WingsThe poet’s art is the ability to say the essential with concise precision. As a result, words in the poet’s hand make us bigger thinkers.

But how is it possible to think big these days? Information floods our space daily—technology announcements, financial warnings, international turmoil, epidemics, and so much more. Our attention is divided again and again, until all that remains are snippets of information sticking in our memories here and there.

Thinking big—being able to recognize the essence of something—requires contrast and movement, at least that’s how I understood it after reading Nikki Grimes’ Words with Wings. The storyline is beautiful, but it is the telling that mesmerizes. Every page is a free verse poem no more than twelve lines, most have fewer. Each line rarely spans beyond five words, most are two or three. Grimes uses contrast in almost every poem — good-bad; big-small; hope-despair; brokenness-redemption. I find myself breathing in-out with each contrast.

But other words have wings
that wake my daydreams.
They fly in,
silent as sunrise,
tickle my imagination,
and carry my thoughts away.

Awaken–fly in–carry away. Out–in–out.

I pack my daydreams,
kick them to a dark corner.
No more word journeys for me,
seeing what others don’t see.

Seeing-dark; journey-canceled trip; optimism-disappointment. What are you thinking right now? Can you put it into two words? Consider Grimes’ title selection for this four-line “chapter”— I Quit.

This expand–contract exercise equips us for both big picture thinking and essence-awareness. I recently shared with my photographer-friend that I wanted to photograph my Grandmother’s sewing scissors and thimble. She meant a great deal to me and it would be a way to honor her memory, or maybe preserve the memory of one part of her I remember fondly.

This is my photographer-friend’s perspective:

sewing_gbostick

He didn’t know her, but having shared her era, he knew how to orchestrate its essence, even with many pieces. Like a poet, the setting, light, item choice, and arrangement is precise. “It all has to work together” my landscape-photographer friend said.

This is my perspective:

Sew Grama

I love the close-up detail of her well-worn tools, and smile at the size-6 thimble. Tiny, hard-working, lovely creator. Her essence.

Landscape-close-up; expand-contract. Out-in-out, like the arm movement for treading water. It keeps our head above water, creating ever-widening waves. We stop the motion, we sink. We start again and notice everyone else’s waves reaching ours.

“A preacher who absorbs one poem a day will tune his ear, strengthen his diction, and stock his pond with fresh, fresh images.”1 I’m not a preacher, but Words with Wings stocks my mind with clear, fresh images. It challenges me to look for contrasts within a cacophony of thoughts and ideas. I see how reducing each contrasting element down to five words or less results in an idea’s essence, a bigger picture.

Thank you, Nikki Grimes, for this exquisite example. We may never master your art, but we appreciate the painstaking work it takes, and we will become bigger thinkers because of it.

Connect with Nikki on Facebook

1. Cornelius Plantinga Jr., Reading for Preaching (Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, 2013), x.

Spot Light • August 2014

Day the Crayons QuitThe Day the Crayons Quit

by Drew Daywalt (Penguin, 2013)

Publisher Summary  Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Beige Crayon is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown Crayon. Black wants to be used for more than just outlining. Blue needs a break from coloring all those bodies of water. And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking—each believes he is the true color of the sun.

Make Way for Books  By giving voice to Duncan’s crayon box, Daywalt challenges kids to think about art and why they pick the crayon they do. What if they tried a different color? Duncan’s creative answer to the “overused, underworked, too short, and naked” crayon complaints is uplifting and vibrant. A clever, entertaining way to show how working differently within the limits of available tools can either be a restriction or an opportunity to create something extraordinary. An important lesson for all ages.

Behind the Scenes: What If? by Drew Daywalt

Marty McguireMarty Mcguire Digs Worms!

by Kate Messner, illustrated by Brian Floca (Scholastic, 2012)

Publisher Summary  Marty McGuire’s third-grade class has a special assignment: Save the Earth! Even more exciting, the best project wins a special award. Marty’s pretty sure her classmates’ ideas won’t stand a chance against her plan to turn the garbage from the school cafeteria into fertilizer. All she needs is a little help from her teammate and best friend, Annie—and the worms in her grandma’s garden. But, it turns out that worms are awfully SLOW eaters. And when the critters escape, the whole class starts grumbling. Can Marty save the Earth without losing her friends? A funny, accessible chapter-book about an irrepressible third grader.

Make Way for Books  A witty, determined Marty compels readers to join her quest: to win the school’s Save the Earth science contest award. Author, Kate Messner masterfully grows and develops Marty’s character, showing readers that reaching a goal requires patience and determination; and, while it lacks the glamor and excitement of the beginning and end, the middle is where the most important work is accomplished. Readers swell with pride as they witness her choosing to share ideas and work together to help others accomplish their goals while waiting for her own project to come to fruition. Her humble, honest approach to learning hard lessons allows readers to empathize and cheer as she overcomes each obstacle. This universally-appealing character uses a relatable story to teach a lesson in patience and teamwork for readers of all ages.

Capture the FlagCapture the Flag

by Kate Messner (Scholastic, 2013)

Publisher Summary  Anna, José, and Henry have never met but they have more in common than they realize. Snowed in together at a chaotic Washington, DC airport, they encounter a mysterious tattooed man, a flamboyant politician, and a rambunctious poodle named for an ancient king. Even stranger, news stations everywhere have just announced that the famous flag that inspired The Star-Spangled Banner has been stolen! Anna, certain that the culprits must be snowed in too, recruits Henry and José to help find the thieves and bring them to justice. But when accusations start flying, they soon realize there’s even more than a national treasure at stake. With unexpected enemies lurking around every corner, will the trio solve the heist before the flag is lost forever?

Make Way for Books  Lovers of history, adventure, and the underdog will devour this fast-moving tale of three unique characters who embark on a journey to save the Star Spangled Banner and their families’ honor. Readers enjoy front-row seats as these characters put aside selfishness and learn to accept, embrace, and utilize their differences in order to become an unbeatable, mystery-solving team. Readers cheer the creative problem-solving, quick thinking, and courageous trio to victory as they battle bad guys and learn that appearances are often not a reliable way to judge a person’s trustworthiness.

This tale of duty and determination is brilliantly paced and leaves readers breathless until they learn the fate of the beloved flag and the unlikely team resolved to rescue it. Full of fantastic detail, this story is one that begs to be read time and time again.

Why Did the Whole World Go to War?Why Did the Whole World Go to War? And Other Questions About World War II

by Martin W. Sandler, illustrated by Robert Barrett (Sterling, 2013)

Publisher Summary  Why Did the Whole World Go to War? helps children understand one of the 20th century’s most tragic conflicts. It answers their most basic questions, including: What started World War II? How did Hitler take over so many countries so quickly? What happened at Pearl Harbor? Where were the fiercest battles fought? What ended the deadliest conflict in human history? A fascinating look at a complex topic.

Make Way for Books  Well-structured text and accompanying graphics unravel the intricacies of this difficult time in history, making it accessible for younger readers.

Spot Light • July 2014

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OliverTwistOliver Twist

adapted by Juliette Saumande from the novel by Charles Dickens, illustrated by Daniela Volpari (Auzou, 2013)

Publisher Summary  This is an illustrated adaptation for children of the famous novel by Charles Dickens. In nineteenth-century England, a young boy named Oliver Twist is driven out of his orphanage. Placed with an undertaker who mistreats him, Oliver escapes and travels to London in search of happiness. There, he discovers the meaning of living in the streets as he becomes entangled with a gang of thieves, but he never loses his will to find a family.

Make Way for Books  Rich, sumptuous illustrations alone make this book an instant favorite. But, it is the noble traits cloaked in warm tones that redeem the retelling of an otherwise very cold tale. This adaptation wisely portrays what is essential for good storytelling without sensationalizing dark details. Age-appropriate first-person narrative emphasizes the reality of good times and bad, and that daily circumstances occupy a small piece of a very large picture.

Oliver, small, alone, and suffering, still dares to hope. He chooses wisely, flees oppressive treatment, and is given opportunity to experience the healing power of compassion. Readers feel his sadness, exhaustion, resolve, and joy, making this read a complete and meaningful experience for all ages. Beautiful!

Additional titles by Auzou publishing with equally stunning illustrations and strong adaptation/storyline:

SnowQueen Cleopatra

The Snow Queen adapted by Natcha Godeau,
illustrated by Giorgio Baroni (Nov 2014)
Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile by Marie de Prémonville,
illustrated by Daniela Volpari (Sep 2013)

LemoncelloEscape From Mr. Lemoncello’s Library

by Chris Grabenstein (Random House, 2013)

Publisher Summary  Kyle Keeley is the class clown, popular with most kids, (if not the teachers), and an ardent fan of all games: board games, word games, and particularly video games. His hero, Luigi Lemoncello, the most notorious and creative gamemaker in the world, just so happens to be the genius behind the building of the new town library.

Lucky Kyle wins a coveted spot to be one of the first 12 kids in the library for an overnight of fun, food, and lots and lots of games. But when morning comes, the doors remain locked. Kyle and the other winners must solve every clue and every secret puzzle to find the hidden escape route. And the stakes are very high.

In this cross between Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and A Night in the Museum, Agatha Award winner Chris Grabenstein uses rib-tickling humor to create the perfect tale for his quirky characters. Old fans and new readers will become enthralled with the crafty twists and turns of this ultimate library experience.

Make Way for Books  Gamers, sleuths, and bookworms will revel in the sheer genius of this tale. Grabenstein cleverly weaves the nostalgia of actual board games and today’s electronic gaming strategies with well-known children’s book titles, sprinkles rebus clues throughout, and adds a dose of fantastical reality-suspension to concoct a brilliant mystery.

But if that wasn’t enough, themes of accomplishment and kindness clinch this as a forever-favorite in our list. Readers see how failure may precede success and how hard work and resilience reap rewards. The contrast of choices characters make throughout the story shows how teamwork often results in stronger, more effective strategies, and that caring about others is more important than winning. And finally, but no less important, the inner-narrative of some characters challenges readers to use lessons from past experiences to help make wise decisions in the present, and that may include some outside-the-box thinking.

Reminiscent of The Westing Game, every detail may hold a clue, so the reader is drawn to attend carefully, to solve this masterfully-orchestrated challenge as if a character in this grand game. A rich, delightful work.

Title_IncapacitatedThe Case of the Incapacitated Capitals

by Robin Pulver, illustrated by Lynn Rowe Reed
(Holiday House, 2013)

Publisher Summary Capital letters are being so neglected in Mr. Wright’s classroom that they are nearly incapacitated, and a medical team must be summoned to perform CPR—Capital Posture Repair.

Make Way for Books  This is an extremely entertaining way to explain proper use of upper- and lowercase letters. As the letters commiserate their misuse, the students’ strive to write a proper Teacher Appreciation Day request. Soon, CPPR—Capital Position and Posture Repair—causes the story lines to collide. Hilarious drawings dramatically eliminate all boredom from this Language Arts lesson!

We’ll look forward to reviewing more by this author/illustrator duo. In the mean time, check out one of our long-time Robin Pulver favorites, Axle Annie.

AxleAnnieAxle Annie by Robin Pulver, illustrated by Ted Arnold
(Penguin, 2002)

 

Hunter MoranHunter Moran Saves the Universe

by Patricia Reilly Giff (Holiday House, 2012)

Publisher Summary In this hilarious novel by two-time Newbery Honor winning author Patricia Reilly Giff, twins Hunter and Zack must save their town from a diabolical dentist. But first they have to hold a funeral for an incriminating report card, hide a cello that has been demolished, and keep their father from finding out what they did to his laptop.

Make Way for Books  An overly imaginative set of twins, exaggerated family dynamics, and a good dose of slap-stick humor make this a laugh-aloud read that even reluctant readers will enjoy.

 

Hunter Moran Hangs OutEnjoy its sequel, Hunter Moran Hangs Out (new in paperback), another laugh-out loud tale of imagination and exaggeration! (Holiday House, 2013)