Module 15: And Tango Makes Three

Book Summary:

Roy and Silo aren’t like other penguins. Instead of finding a nice female penguin to create a penguin family, they are happy with each other’s company. The only problem is they are unable to lay their own egg to raise a penguin chick. When an egg needs help to survive, the zookeeper gives it to Roy and Silo to hatch and raise. They take great care of their egg, and soon they have their own chick to feed and teach penguin ways. That chick is named Tango, and together, they all make a family.

APA Reference of Book:

Richardson, J. & Cole, H. (2005). And Tango makes three. New York, NY: Simon and Shuster Books for Young Readers.

Impressions:

This was a cute story about two animals who didn’t quite fit the expected mold. It is interesting that there are so many objections to this book as the story it tells really happened. I’m sure there was more to the real life story, but the way it was presented in this book is easy to read and for children to understand how things happened.

Tango’s story is short and straight-forward. Children will enjoy reading about how her egg was saved and hatched by two penguins who were unable to lay their own egg.

Professional Review:

Roy and Silo were "a little bit different" from the other male penguins: instead of noticing females, they noticed each other. Thus penguin chick Tango, hatched from a fertilized egg given to the pining, bewildered pair, came to be "the only penguin in the Central Park Zoo with two daddies." As told by Richardson and Parnell (a psychiatrist and playwright), this true story remains firmly within the bounds of the zoo's polar environment, as do Cole's expressive but still realistic watercolors (a far cry from his effete caricatures in Harvey Fierstein's The Sissy Duckling0 , 2002). Emphasizing the penguins' naturally ridiculous physiques while gently acknowledging their situation, Cole's pictures complement the perfectly cadenced text--showing, for example, the bewildered pair craning their necks toward a nest that was "nice, but a little empty." Indeed, intrusions from the zookeeper, who remarks that the nuzzling males "must be in love," strike the narrative's only false note. Further facts about the episode conclude, but it's naive to expect this will be read only as a zoo anecdote. However, those who share this with children will find themselves returning to it again and again--not for the entree it might offer to matters of human sexuality, but for the two irresistible birds at its center and for the celebration of patient, loving fathers who "knew just what to do."

Mattson, Jennifer (2005, May 15). And Tango makes three [Review of the book And Tango makes three by Justin Richardson and Henry Cole]. Booklist, 101(18), 1657. Retrieved from http://www.esebco.com/books/show/170731/searches/170731

Library Uses

Great for use when presenting the differences between different types of families. Also could be used for a brief introduction to penguins and how they interact and raise their young.

Module 14: Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reverso Poems

Book Summary:

A new form of poetry, reverse poems are read once forward and then again backward to create two separate poems using the exact same words. These particular reversos are based on well-known fairy tales. Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and more all find themselves written with slightly new twists. Singer uses her unique voice to tell these tales in her own way. By changing only the punctuation and emphasis, the exact same words read in reverse order take on a completely new meaning.

APA Reference of Book:

Singer, M. (2010). Mirror, mirror. New York, NY: Dutton Children’s Books.

Impressions:

I’m not a big fan of poetry. I feel that I have to try too hard to understand what the author is trying to say to really enjoy it. However, I really find this type of poem entertaining. Writers who are able to pen these poems are really thinking about every word they use and the basic structure of their writing. Singer is a great poet for this. I was able to meet Singer this summer, and hearing her read her own poetry brought it to life for me.

Along with enjoying this poetry structure, I also liked the choice of subject for the book. I love fairy tales. Most people are extremely familiar with them. Being able to read a short insight into the fairy tale and see it from two different points of few made this book fun to read. I gave it to my daughter, and she also enjoyed reading the different poems about her favorite stories.

Professional Review:

*Starred Review* This ingenious book of reversos, or poems which have one meaning when read down the page and perhaps an altogether different meaning when read up the page, toys with and reinvents oh-so-familiar stories and characters, from Cinderella to the Ugly Duckling. The five opening lines of the Goldilocks reverso read: “Asleep in cub’s bed / Blonde / startled by / Bears, / the headline read.” Running down the page side-by-side with this poem is a second, which ends with: “Next day / the headline read: / Bears startled / by blonde / asleep in cub’s bed.” The 14 pairs of poems—easily distinguished by different fonts and background colors—allow changes only in punctuation, capitalization, and line breaks, as Singer explains in an author’s note about her invented poetic form. “It is a form that is both challenging and fun—rather like creating and solving a puzzle.” Singer also issues an invitation for readers to try to write their own reversos on any topic. Matching the cleverness of the text, Masse’s deep-hued paintings create split images that reflect the twisted meaning of the irreverently witty poems and brilliantly employ artistic elements of form and shape—Cinderella’s clock on one side morphs to the moon on the other. A must-purchase that will have readers marveling over a visual and verbal feast. Grades 2-5.

Austin, P. (2010, January 1). Mirror mirror: A book of reversible verse [Review of the book Mirror mirror: A book of reverse poems by Marilyn Singer]. Booklist, 106(9/10), 81. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Mirror-Book-Reverso-Poems/dp/0525479015/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1449115906&sr=8-3&keywords=mirror+mirror

Library Uses:

This book is a great example of a unique style of poetry and would be excellent to add to a unit on poetry. Individual poems or sections of the poems could be used to create a bulletin board display for different forms of poetry. Perfect for celebrating Poetry Month in April.

Module 13: The Plain Janes

Book Summary:

Jane survived a horrific terrorist bombing only to have her parents decide to move the family out of the city into a smaller town for safety. Now Jane is the new girl in school, and she is determined to take this chance to reinvent herself. She cuts and dyes her hair to create a new physical image, but she also looks to make new friends with those who are different from her usual crowd.

On her search for her new friends, she finds three other girls, Jane, Jayne, and Polly Jane. Together they work to bring art and flair to the neighborhood. Their group, acting as P.L.A.I.N – People Loving Art in Neighborhoods, secretly create artistic expressions throughout their small town. Officials are outraged at what they perceive to be acts of vandalism, and measures are taken to stop the perpetrators. 

Will the PLAIN Janes be able to convince them of the value of their creations?

APA Reference of Book:

Castellucci, C. (2007). The plain Janes. New York, NY: DC Comics.

Impressions:

I’m not usually a big fan of graphic novels as I would rather get my stories through words rather than pictures, but the use of this format for this book worked perfectly. The different acts the group commit throughout the story are shown through images rather than descriptions, keeping the writing to a minimum for explanations. This is one of the few graphic novels that I have actually enjoyed reading and looking at the illustrations to get the complete story. I usually feel slowed down by illustrations, but this one worked for me as a reader.

I thought it was an interesting choice to use a terrorist bombing as the instigator for the family’s move. There could have been so many other reasons used, and this particular catalyst is becoming a real-life threat to more and more people around the world. This brought the danger to light without focusing on it overly much as a key part of the story.

Professional Review:

For the first book in a new series aimed at teenage girls, DC comics recruited novelist Castellucci (Boy Proof, 2004, and The Queen of Cool, 2005) to write this story about outsiders who come together, calling up themes from the author's popular YA novels. Relocated to suburbia after a brush with disaster in the big city (and fueled by an urge not to be terrified of the world as a result), Jane rallies a small group of outcasts into a team of "art terrorists, "shaking the town from its conservative complacency by putting bubbles in the city fountain and wrapping objects on the street as Christmas packages. Their activities end up rallying the local teenagers to their cause and working the adults into a dither. The book has its share of stereotypes--the science geek, the psychotically overprotective mother, the irrepressible gay teen--but this is thought-provoking stuff. The art, inspired by Dan Clowes' work, is absolutely engaging. Packaged like manga, this is a fresh, exciting use of the graphic-novel format.

Karp, J. (2007, March 15).The plain Janes [Review of the book The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci]. Booklist, 103(14), 56. Retrieved from http://www.esebco.com/books/show/51718/searches/51718

Library Uses:

This would be great for book talks focusing on terrorism and how to bring light into an otherwise dark and scary situation. Jane is able to move forward with her life and do great things, so this is a great example for teens who may go through similar situations or who may be scared by possibilities of danger.

Module 12: Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Mostly True Stories about Growing up Scieszka

Book Summary: 

Jon Scieszka is probably best known for his humorous children’s picture books The True Story of the Three Little Pigs and The Stinky Cheese Man: And Other Fairly Stupid Tales. In this tongue-in-cheek autobiography, readers get a glimpse of Jon’s life as a young boy and a few events that made him the man he is today. From crazy Halloween costumes to trading chores, this book has it all. His hilarious stories of growing up with five brothers and the zany things they thought up to do will have readers laughing out loud.

APA Reference of Book:

Scieszka, J. (2005). Knucklehead: Tall tales and mostly true stories about growing up Scieszka. New York, NY: Viking Publishing.

Impressions:

This book is a random gathering of thoughts from funny children's author Jon Scieszka. He is the second-oldest in a family of 6 boys, and he has a plethora of stories of his crazy childhood and the fun and zany times they had growing up. Each chapter is just a few pages of a fondly remembered story that happened sometime during Jon's childhood, and together they give a glimpse into the life that he had as a child.

A fun read for ages 10+. Boys especially will enjoy the crazy and sometimes gross stories in this book. This is also a great read for fans of all ages, young or old, as the inside look at Scieszka’s youth will provide great entertainment for all.

Professional Review:

Starred Review. Grade 3–6—Just try to keep kids away from this collection. Inspired book design makes the volume look like an old-school comic. The front cover features an elementary-aged Scieszka popping up out of a military tank, surrounded by explosions and bombers, while the back advertises a "Treasure Chest of Fun" and displays chapter titles and excerpts along with nostalgic graphics. Scieszka answers the oft-asked question, "Where do you get your ideas?" with a slew of childhood anecdotes and his family's escapades that have given him plenty of material from which to draw. Born in 1954, the second of six brothers, he writes about Catholic and military schools, buying gifts, chores, and hand-me-downs—all familiar experiences related with a specific Scieszka twist. His mother, a nurse, insisted that her sons use proper terms for anatomy ("rectum" rather than "butt") and bodily functions ("urinate" rather than "pee"), making way for several laugh-out-loud moments. Some stories are just amiably funny, such as wearing recycled Halloween costumes, while others help readers understand more about how the author developed his unique sense of humor. Although it includes the car trip story from Guys Write for Guys Read (Viking, 2005), Knucklehead is aimed at a younger audience. Family photographs and other period illustrations appear throughout. Entertaining and fast-moving, silly and sweet, this homage to family life is not to be missed.

Whitehurst, L. S. (2008, October). Knucklehead: Tall tales and mostly true stories about growing up Scieszka [Review of the book Knucklehead: Tall tales and mostly true stories about growing up Scieszka by Jon Scieszka]. School Library Journal, 54(10), 174. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Knucklehead-Almost-Stories-Growing-Scieszka.

Library Uses:

This book would great to use for a unit on authors for classroom studies. It could be part of a display highlighting authors, or as part of a display about Jon Scieszka himself and his works. It is also a great book to use to introduce autobiographical writing.

Module 11: The Tarantula Scientist

Book Summary:

Tarantulas are amazing creatures. The information about the Goliath birdeater tarantula found in French Guiana in South America is one example of the uniqueness found in the varieties of tarantulas around the world.

In this book, Sy Montgomery presents an array of interesting facts about different species of tarantulas. She spent time with world experts studying these arachnids and learning more about how they interact with the world around them. There is information about mating habits and feeding behaviors, along with details about body structure and information about how they shed the outer layer of their body, the exoskeleton.

Spiders are regularly seen as creepy, dirty creatures, and Montgomery brings a new light to a topic that both fascinates and alarms most people.

APA Reference of Book:

Montgomery, S. (2004). The tarantula scientist. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Impressions:

I was introduced to Sy Montgomery and her work a couple of years ago at a conference, and I was extremely impressed with her and her method of research. She strives to provide as accurate of information as possible, and it shows in her writing. She spends her time traveling around for research, and she meets the most interesting people and finds some of the most interesting subjects imaginable. I think she could make anything excting.

This book was no exception. I found myself both creeped out a little and at the same time awed and amazed at a creature that I knew very little about before reading this book. The tarantula is presented in such a fascinating way as to make it appealing to all who take the time to read this book. They are such unique creatures, and the information found here provides an open door to those who wish to learn more. Science comes alive when Montgomery writes for children.

Professional Review:

School Library Journal: Grade 5-10-Superb color photos abound in this spectacular series addition. Readers follow the career of Sam Marshall, tarantula scientist extraordinaire, from his "Spider Lab" at Hiram College in Ohio to the rain forests of French Guiana as he hunts for, finds, and studies the creatures he loves so well. The conversational text contains as much spider lore as scientific investigation and provides a cheerful look at a dedicated scientist. (The fact that he did not do well in school may encourage those late bloomers who have not yet found their passion in life or believe it to be far beyond their academic grasp.) Informative, yes, but even more important, this is a vivid look at an enthusiastic scientist energetically and happily at work, both in the field and in the lab, questioning, examining, testing, and making connections. A treat, even for arachnophobes.

Booklist: Gr. 4-7. Montgomery and Bishop, who worked together on Snake Scientist (1999), team up once again to deliver another fascinating slice of the natural world. This time they venture to the French Guiana rain forest, where they follow arachnologist Sam Marshall on his quest for his favorite quarry: tarantulas. Enthusiasm for the subject and respect for both Marshall and his eight-legged subjects come through on every page of the clear, informative, and even occasionally humorous text. Bishop's full-color photos, which concentrate on detail, not scale, are amazing--Marshall coaxing an elusive tarantula into the open or bringing readers literally face-to-face with a hairy spider. The section on students' research seems tacked on, but it adds an interesting sidelight to the book, which is longer and richer in both text and illustrations than others in the Scientists in the Field series. Readers will come away armed with facts about spiders in general and tarantulas in particular, but even more important, they'll have a clear understanding of how the answers derived from research become the roots of new, intriguing questions.

Manning, P. (2005, October).  The Tarantula Scientist [Review of the book The tarantula scientist by Sy Montgomery]. School Library Journal, 51(10), 64. Retrieved 11/7/15 from http://www.amazon.com/Tarantula-Scientist-Scientists-Field/dp/061891577X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446926657&sr=8-1&keywords=tarantula+scientist

Zvirin, S. (2004, March 15). The tarantula scientist [Review of the book The tarantula scientist by Sy Montgomery]. Booklist, 100(14), 1304. Retrieved 11/7/15 from http://www.amazon.com/Tarantula-Scientist-Scientists-Field/dp/061891577X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446926657&sr=8-1&keywords=tarantula+scientist

Library Uses:

This is a great book for a lecture or segment on spiders. The photos make great visual references, and the little tidbits of information would make great quote blocks. This would also be great for a display (preferably behind glass) that included specimens and other tactile objects to view.

Module 10: Here Lies the Librarian

Book Summary:

It’s the early 20th century, and cars are just beginning to replace horses as the preferred mode of transportation. Life is changing across the country as roads are paved, making way for these new-fangled automobiles.

Eleanor, known to her small town as Peewee, and her brother Jake have lived alone in their small farmhouse since their parents passing. Peewee prefers working with Jake repairing cars to wearing dresses and attending tea parties, and she aims to stick around when she gets older and help her brother run a car repair shop. She would much rather wear overalls than dresses, much to the dismay of her older brother.

Then Peewee meets four strongly independent young women, students at a nearby college who are pursuing their library degrees. Soon she is learning that it is possible to be her own person while still being a girl. When her brother is injured driving in a car race, does she have what it takes to finish the race and prove to them all that a girl is just as capable?

APA Reference of Book:

Peck, R. (2006). Here lies the librarian. New York, NY: Dial Books Publishing.

Impressions:

Here Lies the Librarian is a quick historical fiction read. I really enjoyed Peewee’s thoughts and comments on life as she grew into a strong young woman. She surprised herself in how much she actually wanted to be ladylike when she was shown that she could be both a woman and an independent thinker. Her interactions with the four young ladies who came to run the library showed her that educating oneself did not make a person stuck up and stuffy, but rather knowledgeable about life. It better prepares a person to make the best life for themselves that they can.

As a librarian, I also enjoyed reading about the library itself and how it was run. I’m not very familiar with this particular decade, and the new inventions and changes that were taking place in this field were coming in leaps and bounds. I really enjoyed the presentation of the new library to the people who lived in this small town and the impact it had on the community.

Professional Review:

Stubborn, fearless, and loyal, 14-year-old Peewee (Eleanor) McGrath, who dresses like a boy, lives with her brother, Jake, in Indiana, "way out in the weeds." Together, they run a struggling garage, where Jake is building a racecar. It's 1914, and the electric self-starter has made automobiles more accessible to women. One day, four female drivers, library students all, arrive in a Stoddard-Dayton in need of repair; later, they return to reopen the town library. With these young women as role models, Peewee comes to realize that being female and being independent aren't mutually exclusive. Peck's one-liners, colorful physical comedy, and country dialect, prominent in most of his recent novels, are great as usual. And his characters, if not fully developed, are wonderfully quirky. Yet even with some exciting scenes of old-time dirt-track racing, the pace lags, and the story is choppy. Young fans of Danica Patrick, today's "Queen of the Road," may want to read this, but it will probably be librarians who'll have the most fun. Peck recounts an incident in an endnote in which one of the characters appears at the Indianapolis 500 with Janet Guthrie; unfortunately, there's not enough explanation to know whether or not it's all true.

Zvirin, S. (2006, March). Here lies the librarian [Review of the book Here lies the librarian by Richard Peck]. Booklist, 102(13), 91. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Here-Lies-Librarian-Richard-Peck/dp/0142409081/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446923800&sr=8-1&keywords=here+lies+the+librarian

Library Uses:

This would be a great book for a tween or younger teen book club read. Discussions can be about historical setting, family relationships, and gender roles. This book could also be part of a larger display/discussion about gender roles and the changes that have occurred in the last century. 

Module 9: Cam Jansen and the Ghostly Mystery

Book Summary:

Jennifer “Cam” Jansen is excited to see the Triceratops Pops concert, but before she can buy her ticket, a person in a ghost costume runs through the building, scaring people as they go. The ghost runs up to an old man, yells “Boo!” and runs away. The old man grabs his chest and falls to the floor, and the crowd is left to help with the medical emergency. While the people in line are distracted by the scene, the ghost runs by the ticket office, grabbing the money box as they go, stealing all of the ticket money. 

A crime has been committed, but no one knows who did it because they were covered up in the ghost costume. Now Cam and her friend Eric are on the case. She will need her photographic memory to save the day, and she thinks back over all the details she could remember about the scene of the crime. Little flashes of memory come back to her, and learning that the old man who fell at the ticket booth was actually an accomplice to the crime provides more clues. Will Cam and Eric solve the mystery?

APA Reference of Book:

Adler, D. A. (1996). Cam Jansen and the ghostly mystery. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.

Impressions:

Cam is a great sleuth. She thinks logically about things she knows and utilizes her photographic memory to remember important details of the mystery at hand. She’s realistic and fun, and readers can relate to her and her friend. Her Aunt Molly is incredibly quirky, which provides more for readers to think about when they are trying to follow what she is trying to say.

One important thing to note about Cam and her mystery solving adventures is that she is extremely conscientious about staying safe. She does what she can, following her clues and finding evidence, but when it is time to let the authorities do their job, Cam and Eric are responsible and call for the police. The adults in this story are great in the way that they treat Cam and Eric as a valuable asset rather than deeming them not worth the time it would take to listen to their suggestions. I think this an important thing to teach young readers. Other mystery books have the amateur detectives rushing into dangerous situations with no thought for the possible consequences, and it is good for readers to see a positive role model for how to deal with something that may become a danger to the young investigators.

Professional Review:

Gr. 2-4. Cam Jansen, the girl with the photographic memory, returns in her sixteenth mystery. Here, she and her pal Eric are waiting in line to buy tickets for a rock concert. The ticket booth gets robbed by someone dressed as a ghost, but it doesn't take Cam long to figure out the connection between the ghostly robber and the distraction of a man who has a "heart attack" in line. A very quick read, this should give new readers a push into beginning chapter books and offer reluctant readers a mystery that isn't babyish.

Cooper, I. (1997, January). Books for middle readers: Fiction [Review of the book Cam Jansen and the ghostly mystery]. Booklist, 93(9/10), 855. Retrieved from http://www.buffalolib.org/vufind/Record/890154/Reviews

Library Uses:

This would be a great group read for second and third graders. There is a lot to discuss about the way Cam uses clues to solve the mystery. This could also be used as part of an additional materials list for those learning about different types of memory.

Module 8: Savvy

Book Summary:

Everyone in Mibs’ family has a special talent, known as their savvy, that they receive on their thirteenth birthday. Her mother does everything perfectly, even when it’s a mistake. Her grandmother could catch music in a jar. Her grandfather causes the ground to move.

Now it's finally her turn! Mibs is celebrating her thirteenth birthday, and she will finally find out what her savvy is. Will it be talking to animals? Seeing sounds? Only time will tell. Then tragedy strikes - her father is a car accident and is now in a coma. Will Mibs get a savvy that could save him?

Full of quirky characters and wild adventures, Savvy is the story of Mibs and her quest to save her father’s life. She is joined by her brother and a few new friends along the way, and somewhere between pink buses, flying pies, and police cars they must make their way to the hospital to find Mibs’ father.

APA Reference of Book:

Law, I. (2008). Savvy. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers.

Impressions:

This is a fun book about abilities and talents and family relationships. The growing friendship between Mibs and Will and Mibs and Bobbi are great examples of how people aren't always who they seem to be, and sometimes a person just want someone to see them and like them for who they really are. I'm really interested to see what Sampson's savvy is, although it seems as though he already has inklings of it showing through in his behavior, even at his younger age.

I read this as part of a mother-daughter book group, and the girls had plenty to talk about in wondering what their own savvies could be and how this is somewhat reflected in real life in the various talents individuals have. A great group read, and one that readers of all ages who enjoy a little light fantasy in their books will really enjoy.

Professional Reviews:

Grades 5-7. Upon turning 13, each member of the Beaumont family develops a supernatural ability, or savvy, which must then be tamed. Well aware of the problems savvys can bring (the family had to relocate when one child had difficulty controlling his storm-producing savvy), 12-year-old Mississippi (Mibs) awaits her birthday eagerly but with a bit of trepidation. Then Poppa is seriously injured in an accident far away, and Momma goes to his side, leaving Mibs and the rest of the family to cope with Mibs’ 13th birthday on their own. Initially believing that her savvy is the ability to restore life, Mibs sets her course for Poppa. Joined by her brothers and the local preacher’s kids, she sweet talks her way onto a traveling Bible salesman’s bus. On the journey, however, Mibs realizes her savvy isn’t what she thought, which opens the way for a number of lively adventures both geographic and emotional. Law’s storytelling is rollicking, her language imaginative, and her entire cast of whacky, yet believable characters delightful. Readers will want more from Law; her first book is both wholly engaging and lots of fun.

Savvy. (2008, May 15). [Review of the book Savvy by Ingrid Law]. Booklist Magazine, 104(18). Retrieved from http://www.esebco.com/books/show/104616/searches/104616

Library Uses:

While great for a book club read, as mentioned above, this would also make an interesting display for different talents and abilities. This book could be the main focus of the display, with suggestions for savvies put on display, such as cooking utensils for great chefs, sewing needles and thread for those who are good at sewing, and sports equipment for those who are athletic. The possibilities are endless. It could also be an interactive display, one where patrons could add to it will savvies of their own, such as a whiteboard or post-it note display.

Module 7: Flush

Book Summary:

The Coral Queen is dumping its raw sewage directly into the ocean, and Noah's dad is determined to do something about it. When he ends up in jail, he enlists Noah to help him get evidence of the wrongdoing, but it could prove dangerous when a former employee of the casino boat ends up missing.

Throughout the fight for justice, Noah and his sister Abby must deal with nosy reporters, neighborhood bullies, and gun-toting bad guys to catch the crooks and put the evidence out there for all to see. They are determined to put a stop to the polluting of their beloved ocean, even when they may be putting themselves in harm’s way.

APA Reference of Book:

Hiaasen, C. (2005). Flush. New York, NY: Knopf Books for Young Readers.

Impressions:

Full of manatees, sea turtles, and mangroves, this book has great description of the environment of the Florida Keys. I’ve never been to this area, but I could easily picture the scenery and had a great feel for the setting.

I especially enjoyed Hiaasen’s sense of humor in this book. There were plenty of snarky comments and quirky characters, giving the story a personality of its own. Noah and his sister are good kids who love their parents, and though they may fight as siblings tend to do, they look out for each other and work together to accomplish their goals, whether that be buying stuff at the grocery store or preventing their mother from seeing their father’s latest exploits on the news.

This is a great fast-paced adventure novel for those who love for the underdog to find a way to win in the end. It has plenty of intrigue and backstabbing while still having a well written storyline. I know Hiaasen has plenty of fans, but I would also recommend this for fans of Sachar's Holes as it has a similar feel to the mystery and a similar type of danger.

Professional Reviews:

Booklist: Gr. 5-8. Hiaasen's second novel exhibits some of the same elements found in his 2003 Newbery Honor Book: Florida local color, oddball adults (buxom and brawny), and a delightful quirkiness. But the sparkle that catapulted Hoot into the limelight isn't quite as brilliant here. Even so, there's plenty to like in this yarn, which, once again, drops an environmental issue into the lap of a kid. Righteous indignation, usually resulting from some sabotage of Florida's natural resources, has gotten Noah Underwood's dad in trouble before. This time, however, Dad's gone too far: he sunk a floating casino. Why? Its owner is dumping human waste in the water. Unfortunately, Dad can't prove it, and that's where Noah and his younger sister, Abbey, come in. The amateur sleuthing puts the sibs into some mildly suspenseful, occasionally amusing, situations, which, as in the previous book, share space with run-ins with a local bully (Noah takes some lumps but gets sweet revenge). An old-fashioned deus ex machina interrupts an otherwise believable setup, but Hiaasen still succeeds at relating an entertaining story while getting across a serious message about conservation and the results of just plain greed.

School Library Journal: "Noah and his sister, Abbey, are more understanding of their volatile dad's latest arrest than their mother, who begins talking of divorce. Dad sank the Coral Queen, a casino boat on a Florida Key because, he alleges, its owner, Dusty Muleman, has been illegally dumping raw sewage into the local waters. Soon enough the kids begin trying to gather proof that will vindicate their father and put the casino out of business. The colorful cast includes a drunken lout named Lice who disappears before he can be persuaded to testify against Dusty, his former boss. His rough-around-the-edges girlfriend, Shelly, comes through, though, helping the siblings dump dye in the boat's holding tanks, which finally brings the matter to court. Dusty's son, Jasper, is a chip off the old block, threatening and beating Noah on several occasions until he and, later, Abbey are rescued by a mysterious stranger who turns out to be their grandfather, long ago thought to have died in South America, probably while involved in drug smuggling. As the tale ends, he's back to Colombia to settle old scores. The plot would practically disappear if any one of the major characters had a cell phone, but the environmental story is front and center and readers will be hooked as the good guys try to do the right thing. This quick-reading, fun, family adventure harkens back to the Hardy Boys in its simplicity and quirky characters."

Svirin, S. (2005, August). Flush [Review of the book Flush by Carl Hiaasen]. Booklist Magazine, 101(22), 2028. Retrieved from https://brooklyn.bibliocommons.com/item/show/11240257062906_flush

Shoemaker, J. (2005, September 1). Flush [Review of the book Flush by Carl Hiaasen]. School Library Journal, 59(9), 204. Retrieved from http://www.esebco.com/books/show/66850/searches/66850

Library Uses:

This would be a great book club read for older middle school to younger high school students. There is plenty to discuss about the environment and global pollution, and can give students thoughts about what they can do to make the world a better place.

Assignment A: Booktrailers

Booktrailer for The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Booktrailer for Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Booktrailer for Dark Life by Kat Falls

References:

Falls, K. (2010). Dark life. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Pfeffer, S. B. (2006). Life as we knew it. New York, NY: HMH Books for Young Readers.

Ryan, C. (2009). The forest of hands and teeth. New York, NY: Delacorte Press.

Module 6: Zero the Hero

Book Summary:

Zero always thought he was a hero – he just needed a chance to prove it to the other numbers. Unfortunately, they thought he was a little strange and would never account for anything. Because he was not a counting number (it’s hard to count zero of anything) he was always being left out of the number games. In order to be a part of anything, he always had to be paired with another number. Sometimes he was not even recognized as a number, but was instead mistaken for a small letter “O” or even a doughnut.

He tried everything to fit it: addition (any number added to Zero was still that number), subtraction (subtracting Zero from any number was still the same number), and division (a number cannot be divided by nothing). Finally, he tried multiplication. It was a disaster! Any number multiplied by Zero became nothing!  All of the other numbers ran away screaming.  Zero felt horrible – a real hero would never make his friends feel like nothing. He decided to leave them alone.

Shortly after Zero left, the other numbers were attacked by the Romans. Can Zero be the hero he believes he is and rescue numbers one through nine?

APA Reference of Book:

Holub, J. (2012). Zero the hero. New York, NY: Henry Holt & Company.

Impressions:

This book was so much better than I anticipated. I thought it would be a cute book where Zero becomes a hero to the other numbers through an unusual set of circumstances, but I never expected the story to be about numbers themselves and how they are used together in mathematics. The use of math concepts in the story was a brilliant technique.

I also didn’t expect this book to be humorous, yet I found myself laughing out loud several times. The interactions with the Roman numerals and the play with words and numbers was quite entertaining. The little comments made by the numbers in the sidebars were an important part of the story, and it really drew me in as a reader to make a closer inspection of the writing and illustrations.

Professional Reviews:

Horn Book Magazine: "Poor Zero. He's having a hard time proving himself as a superhero, what with the fact that he is not a counting number and can only live in the shadow of other numbers. He is such a nonentity that folks mistake him for a donut, the letter O, and even a Froot Loop. The rules of addition and subtraction render him useless, and no one wants to divide, let alone multiply, with him. Multiplying means obliteration of the other number and that means that Zero is a lonely fellow indeed. But when our hero disappears, things get rough in the number world. How can they make 10? Or 1,000? When the Roman numerals capture the counting numbers, Zero comes to the rescue, terrifying the captors with his multiplicative power. Tiny visual jokes and graphic elements keep this mathematically accurate book humming with humor, nudging the funny bone of the confident and mathphobic alike. Read this aloud to whet the new reader's appetite, but there is just so much to see that only a slow reading, with a magnifying glass in hand, will do. The endpapers tell more of Zero's story (he enters a phone booth a zero and leaves it a caped superhero). Readers will make visual connections to Laurie Keller's works (Open Wide, rev. 5/00; The Scrambled States of America), and wise teachers will encourage their students to think just as imaginatively as they study other math concepts."

Kirkus Reviews: "The counting numbers get their comeuppance in the havoc that breaks out after they fail to believe in Zero's heroic powers. Brimming with self-confidence, Zero sports a red cape and black mask. But looking and feeling like a hero do not help him when it comes to fitting in with one through nine. Left out and teased, he still stays positive, even though he is virtually useless at adding and subtracting, and goodness knows, division by zero is pointless. But the heretofore-unflappable Zero meets his match in multiplication. Questioning the qualities of a hero who multiplies "his friends into nothingness," Zero rolls away. It isn't long before the other numbers value (and miss) the important place he holds...even more so when they are captured by a cadre of Roman numerals. Luckily, Zero hears their cries and flies to the rescue, which finally earns him hero status with his friends. While the story would hold all on its own, the tongue-in-cheek humor combined with Lichtenheld's wonderfully personified cast of characters (complete with sassy speech bubbles and expressive faces) makes this a book kids will reach for again. A hero and some villains and good winning over evil (oh, and all that educational stuff, too), all wrapped in humor and tied with a comic bow--what could be better?"

Smith, R. L. (2012, January/February). Zero the hero [Review of the book Zero the hero by Joan Holub]. Horn Book Magazine, 88(1), 71. Retrieved from http://www.esebco.com/books/show/51519/searches/51519

Zero the hero [Review of the book Zero the hero by Joan Holub]. (2011, December 1). Kirkus Reviews, 79(23), 2232. Retrieved from http://www.esebco.com/books/show/51519/searches/51519

Library Uses:

This would be a great book to use for a math lesson in a classroom visit, and would be a good example of how books can teach us things even when they are funny stories. It would also be a great book to read for a hero program to show that not all heroes are of the superhero variety. For displays, this could be included in a humorous fiction display, an importance of math display, or a hero display.

Module 5: Midwinterblood

Image via Goodreads.com

Book Summary:

Told through seven different tales in reverse chronological order, Midwinterblood is a tale as old as time.

The first story, Midsummer Sun, is set in 2073. Eric travels to a mysterious island that is said to be a magical place where people are living far beyond a normal lifespan. Once there, he meets Tor and Merle, and is soon settled in. He explores the island, and as he does so, he begins to forget why he had come there to begin with.

The second tale, The Archaeologist, is set in 2011. Edward, an archaeologist, has traveled with his small digging team to hopefully unearth the remains of a Viking village. During his stay on the island, he meets a young boy named Eric, and his mother Merle. He feels as though he has known them all of his life.

The Airman, the third story, is set in 1944. When his plane is shot down, David manages to land his parachute on a small island, though he breaks his ankle in the process. It is the middle of World War II, and this island has so far removed itself from the fighting taking place throughout the rest of the world. David is rescued by a farmer, Erik, the farmer’s wife, Rebecka, and the farmer’s son, Benjamin. He stays with the family while his ankle heals, but the welcome is far from warm. When war comes to the island, David must try to escape the enemy soldiers.

The Painter is the fourth story in the book, and it is set in 1902. Merle is a young girl, living on a quiet island with her mother, who is known for making a special tea using the mysterious dragon flower found on the far side of the island. When Merle crosses to the other side of the island with her mother to harvest the flowers, she discovers a large house, where a very old man lives. Despite her mother’s order to stay away, she returns to visit, making wonderful discoveries.

The fifth part of the book, The Unquiet Grave, is set in 1848. The Graf twins had a nanny, Laura, who told them a wonderful ghost story full of auspense, a romance about Merle and Eric. The children loved the story, and loved Laura too. But Laura was not who they thought she was.

The sixth tale, The Vampire, is set during the 10^th century. The men were late returning from their yearly trip at sea, but return they did, and Eirik and Melle helped the rest of the villagers bring the Viking ships ashore for repair during the coming winter months. Unfortunately, their father didn’t just bring home bounty from a successful Viking expedition – he also brought home a mysterious man, one whom their father is unhappy to have home.

The seventh and final story, Midwinterblood, is set before the record of time.  It has been many years of drought and crop failure, and the people have demanded a sacrifice – one only their king can fulfill. King Eirikr has been brought forth to sacrifice his life blood. Will his death be enough to bring about the desired change?

All seven stories tie neatly together into one overlaying theme. It is a tale of love, of death, and rebirth.

Awards: Michael L. Printz Award 2014, Carnegie Medal Nominee 2013

APA Reference of Book:

Sedgwick, M. (2013). MIdwinterblood. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press.

Impressions:

Midwinterblood is a fairly quick read, with short chapters within the short stories. While confusing at first, once a few of the stories are read, it is easy to get a feel for the writing and following the story backwards through time. It is not often that a book is written in reverse chronological order, so this is a fairly unique concept, and one that makes for a new and interesting reading experience.

While I liked the book, and I have several people in mind to recommend it to, I’m not completely sure why it was marketed as a YA novel. I think teens would enjoy reading it, but there isn’t anything in particular that tells me this is definitely a YA book written with teens in mind.

That being said, I think this is a book that can be enjoyed by all ages, teens and adults. There are a lot of different themes and topics in this book that can be used as discussion points, from Viking lore to reincarnation beliefs to different times throughout the history of the world. It is easy to see why it was awarded the Printz award.

Professional Review:

"*Starred Review* In the year 2073, a reporter named Eric is sent to Blessed Island to research a rare flower called the Dragon Orchid. There he finds an insular community of mysterious villagers, a delicious tea that has him losing days at a time, and a beguiling girl named Merle. In just 50 pages, we reach a shattering conclusion—and then start anew in 2011. An archaeologist is digging on Blessed Island, where he meets a quiet boy named Eric and his mother, Merle. So begins this graceful, confounding, and stirring seven-part suite about two characters whose identities shift as they are reborn throughout the ages. Sedgwick tells the story in reverse, introducing us to a stranded WWII pilot, a painter trying to resurrect his career in 1901, two children being told a ghost story in 1848, and more, all the way back to a king and queen in a Time Unknown. It is a wildly chancy gambit with little in the way of a solid throughline, but Sedgwick handles each story with such stylistic control that interest is not just renewed each time but intensified. Part love story, part mystery, part horror, this is as much about the twisting hand of fate as it is about the mutability of folktales. Its strange spell will capture you. Grades 9-12."

Kraus, D. (2012, December 1). Midwinterblood [Review of the book Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick]. Booklist, 109(7), 52. Retrieved from http://www.esebco.com/books/show/48295/searches/48295

Library Uses: 

This would be a great read for a library book club group. There is much to discuss about the different topics presented by the unique but intersecting stories. The book club group could be for teens, adults, or a mixture of both.

Module 4: Julie of the Wolves

Image via Goodreads.com

Book Summary: 

Julie of the Wolves is the story of Miyax, known as Julie to the outside world, and her survival in the Alaskan wilderness. Julie, a young Eskimo girl, runs away from her village when arrangements are made for an undesirable marriage. To escape her fate, Julie strikes out on her own, heading for San Francisco. 

Julie's understanding of, and interactions with, the natural world are impressive for a young girl. She "reads" the earth, from lemming life cycles to bird migration patterns to plant growth. Based on the small changes she observes around herself, she is able to find enough food to stay alive and make her way across the unforgiving tundra. Along the way she encounters a small wolf pack, and over time, befriends them and becomes a member of their pack. This relationship saves her life multiple times, and she is eventually able to arrive at the small village from which her father disappeared.

Julie finds strength in herself, and from this experience, she knows she is capable of surviving on her own. She no longer needs to rely on others for her survival. 

APA Reference of Book: 

George, J. C. (1972). Julie of the wolves. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

Impressions:

Julie is a wonderful heroine. Her strength and determination to survive, along with her almost innate understanding of the world around her, are such great characteristics to promote among young girls. Her story was similar to that found in Island of the Blue Dolphins, another tale of survival, though in a very different climate.

Julie reads as a much older girl in her behavior and thoughts. This point would be a great discussion topic with younger readers about the difference a person's culture has on their attitude, personal bearing, and life skills. Julie learned from a young age how to perform all manner of life skills, from food gathering, hunting, and preparation to shelter building to interacting with the elements around her.

I really enjoyed reading about Julie and meeting her. I'm looking forward to continuing her story in Julie and Julie's Wolf pack.

Professional Review: 

“Jean George has captured the subtle nuances of Eskimo life, animal habits, the pain of growing up, and combines these elements into a thrilling adventure which is, at the same time, a poignant love story.”

Bregman, A. (1973). Julie of the wolves [Review of the book Julie of the wolves by J. George].

School Library Journal, 75.

Library Use:

As the winner of the 1973 Newbery Award, this book can be used as part of a Newbery or "Award Winning Books" display. It could also be used for a survival display. This would be a great book to use as a book club read with younger teens to discuss culture and survival skills. There are many different points that can be brought out in a discussion, all valuable educational moments for today's youth.

Module 3: The Man Who Walked between the Towers

Image via Goodreads.com

Book Summary:

"Once there were two towers side by side. They were each a quarter of a mile high; one thousand three hundred and forty feet. The tallest buildings in New York City." -- p. 1

The Man Who Walked between the Towers is the wonderful story of Philippe Petit and his desire to walk on a tightrope between the towers of the World Trade Center, the tallest buildings in New York in 1974. Petit was an acrobatic aerialist who loved to perform. He could juggle and ride a unicycle, but he loved to walk high above the earth. Before his feat at the WTC, he had walked on the tightrope between the steeples of the Notre Dame Cathedral.

Petit knew that if he asked permission to walk over ¼ mile above the city, he would be told no. He took matters into his own hands, and one night he, along with a couple of good friends, managed to secure a cable between the two towers. It took them all night, and early the next morning he walked out across the cable between the towers. Once he was spotted, police officers were waiting for him on the far side, so he took his time and spent over an hour out on the cable, dancing and performing for those far below.

Now that the Twin Towers are gone, this tale is just one of thousands of memories about the WTC.

APA Reference of Book: 

Gerstein, M. (2003). The man who walked between the towers. Brookfield, CT: Roaring Book Press.

Impressions: 

I was not expecting to like this book much. Most of the historical stories I have read in children’s picture books have not been very engaging or attention grabbing. The first few pages of this were not super fantastic, but once the background was set, the story was intriguing. Though it was several decades ago that this event took place, it is amazing that someone would be able to pull off a scenario such as this and do it with such grace and aplomb.  

The level of detail included in this story is perfect for children to understand and see the incredible actions that had to take place to cumulate in the dance in the sky high above the city. Hauling that bundle of cable to the roof of the building up all of those stairs could not have been easy. Petit must have had great friends who valued him and their relationship and were willing to go to a lot of work to help him accomplish his dream.

The illustrations in this book add quite a bit to the feel of the written story. The use of fold-out pages give great depth to the images and provide readers with an added feel for the height at which Petit performed.

Professional Review:

School Library Journal: Kindergarten-Grade 6-As this story opens, French funambulist Philippe Petit is dancing across a tightrope tied between two trees to the delight of the passersby in Lower Manhattan. Gerstein places him in the middle of a balancing act, framed by the two unfinished World Trade Center towers when the idea hits: "He looked not at the towers, but at the space between them and thought, what a wonderful place to stretch a rope-." On August 7, 1974, Petit and three friends, posing as construction workers, began their evening ascent from the elevators to the remaining stairs with a 440-pound cable and equipment, prepared to carry out their clever but dangerous scheme to secure the wire. The pacing of the narrative is as masterful as the placement and quality of the oil-and-ink paintings. The interplay of a single sentence or view with a sequence of thoughts or panels builds to a riveting climax. A small, framed close-up of Petit's foot on the wire yields to two three-page foldouts of the walk. One captures his progress from above, the other from the perspective of a pedestrian. The vertiginous views paint the New York skyline in twinkling starlight and at breathtaking sunrise. Gerstein captures his subject's incredible determination, profound skill, and sheer joy. The final scene depicts transparent, cloud-filled skyscrapers, a man in their midst. With its graceful majesty and mythic overtones, this unique and uplifting book is at once a portrait of a larger-than-life individual and a memorial to the towers and the lives associated with them.

Lukehart, W., Jones, T. E., Toth, L., Charnizon, M., Grabarek, D., & Larkins, J. (2003, November). The man who walked between the towers [Review of the book The man who walked between the towers by M. Gerstein]. School Library Journal. 49(11), 125. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Walked-Between-Towers/

Library Uses: 

This book is a great example of how all types and age levels of materials can be used to discuss the repercussions of 9/11 and the loss of such a great landmark. While the terrorist attack against the U.S. was a horrible time for the entire country, and even the entire world, this book is a great reminder that we can celebrate the memories of things that are no longer with us. This book can be used in displays and discussions about 9/11, and would be a great book to use with younger elementary aged children to talk about the tragedy.

Module 2: Millions of Cats

Image via Goodreads.com

Book Summary: A very old woman and a very old man lived in a nice clean house, but they were lonely. The little old woman decided that they would be happy if they just had a cat. The little old man went to find them the best cat. What he found was a hill full of millions and billions and trillions of cats, each one different and special in its own way. He looks around and finds the perfect cat, only to turn around and find another one that was just as perfect. Soon he was leading all of the cats from the hill home to his wife. Once they arrive home, the cats start to eat. They eat and eat and eat until there is nothing left. The old man and the old woman decide that they can only keep one cat, but which one should they choose? They ask the cats which one of them is the prettiest, and soon every cat is arguing that they are the prettiest. They begin to fight and snarl and bite. Then they are eating each other up until there are no cats left to see. The little old man and the little old woman discover one last scrawny little kitten. They give the cat a bath and brush it and feed it. It grows and grows and grows, and soon it is the prettiest cat of all. They all live happily in the cute little house.

APA Reference of Book:

Gág, W. (1928). Millions of cats. New York, NY: Coward-McCann, Inc..

Impressions: This is a really cute story. The little old man and the little old woman are great characters, even though there is minimal characterization or description. Their desire to have a cat to complete their home is easy to relate to. The story has a great happy ending where the man and woman end up with the perfect cat and everyone is happy together in their cute clean house.

The illustrations are pen and ink drawings, and are left completely in black and white. The lack of color is a perfect fit for the story. I think if there had been color in the illustrations, the pictures would have been too busy for young readers to enjoy. It also would have detracted from the story as readers may spend all of their time trying to choose between all of the cats rather than finishing the story. The lack of color also leaves it to the reader’s imagination as to what the prettiest cat looks like in the end, which is a great discussion point.

Professional Review:
School Library Journal:  Considered by many to have ushered in the age of the modern picture book, this Newbery Honor winner is characterized by innovative design and a strong storyteller’s cadence.

Breen, K., Fader, E., Odean, K., & Sutherland, S. (2000). One hundred books that shaped the century [Review of the book Millions of cats, by W. Gág]. School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/2000/01/collection-development/one-hundred-books-that-shaped-the-century/#_

Library Uses: This would be a great read for a cat-themed story time, and leads to a complimentary craft activity of coloring or designing the prettiest cat.  This could also be used as a lead-in to a community-wide “Prettiest Cat” contest. This could work as a photography contest or a sculpture contest, or a contest of some other form of artistic expression.

Module 1: Henry & the Buccaneer Bunnies

Image from Goodreads.com

Book Summary: 

Henry is the son of a pirate ship captain, but he has no interest in the running of a pirate ship. He would rather read about adventures and proper techniques than do other pirating activities, such as making prisoners walk the plank. The other pirates are always making fun of Henry for constantly having his nose in a book, but they just don't understand the appeal of a good book. When a raging storm sinks the pirate ship, the pirates feel that all is lost. Henry doesn’t let a little storm get him down. He quickly gets to work, showing his fellow pirates that all of his time spent reading was not a waste of time, but was time spent gathering valuable information about how to survive when shipwrecked on an island. Soon he is sharing his knowledge and his love for reading with the other pirates, and they all come to understand the value of a good book.

APA Reference of Book:

Crimi, C. (2005). Henry & the Buccaneer Bunnies. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

Impressions:

As someone who has always read books and always been made fun of for keeping my nose between the pages, it is refreshing to read a book for children about the value of learning from reading. The knowledge Henry learned from the books he read saved the lives of all of the pirates and earned him respect and admiration for his knowledge and skills.

This book provides a great example, albeit a fairly obvious one, of the value of reading. I think it's great to show children that they can get more out a book than entertainment. Many books have small nuggets of information that can be gleaned and put together with other nuggets, and soon a young reader has a whole gold mine of informative facts at their disposal. Teaching them that this is not only possible, but also enjoyable, while they are still at such a young age is a wonderful thing.

I found the illustrations to be enjoyable and thought they were well-done, though there were a few pages that were a little busier than I would have preferred. There was a lot going on, which provides kids with quite a bit to look at, but was overwhelming at times.

Professional Reviews: 

Booklist: PreS-Gr. 2. As the pirate ship The Salty Carrot sails the high seas, all of the rabbit pirates pitch in to help with the duties except Henry, the captain's son, who prefers to read. After their ship succumbs to a storm, the rabbits find that Henry's trunks of books can act as life rafts, which transport them to a desert island. On land, Henry's vast book learning becomes invaluable, and he provides the rabbit crew with food, shelter, and a means of escape. Manders' watercolor, gouache, and pencil illustrations are the highlight of this effort. His rabbit pirates have huge buckteeth and look especially comical toward the end of the book, when they are elaborately decked out in eighteenth-century finery, including feathered hats and lace trim. Bookworm Henry is rather stereotypically portrayed with huge glasses hung from a string. A story on the joys and usefulness of reading is nothing new, but the funny Buccaneer Bunnies should provide some interest, even to children who are not inspired by the lesson.

School Library Journal: Kindergarten-Grade 2–Henry is not a typical buccaneer bunny. Instead of performing his proper pirating duties, he would rather read the books that he took from other ships. His father, the captain, is not proud of his son and the rest of the crew makes fun of him. When they are shipwrecked on a deserted island, however, it is Henry and his book smarts that save the day. Although the plot is weak, the illustrations are fresh and comical, and send a clear message about the importance of reading.

Morning, T. (2005, December 1). Henry & the Buccaneer bunnies [Review of the book Henry & the Buccaneer bunnies, by C. Crimi]. Booklist, 102(7), 52. Retrieved from http://www.esebco.com/books/show/53366/searches/53366

Schindler, L. S. (2005, November 1). Henry & the Buccaneer Bunnies [Review of the book Henry & the Buccaneer bunnies, by C. Crimi]. School Library Journal,  51(11), 89. Retrieved from http://www.esebco.com/books/show/53366/searches/53366

Library Uses: I feel that this book had a few too many words to be a good story time book for younger children (e.i.ages 2-5), but it would be great for class visits, especially for 1^st or 2^nd graders who are still learning the basics of reading.

Welcome!

This blog is created to be a collection of reviews written for books read as part of INFO 5420. Though this is part of a class assignment, I would hope that the reviews here are also found to be informative and are a valuable resource for those looking for more feedback about these books.