Archive for March, 2010
Emily’s Picks - September 2010
J Fiction: The Books of Elsewhere: Book 1, The Shadows by Jacqueline West. For ages 9 - 12. This first book in a promising-looking new series (and first novel for the author) sets the stage for an intriguing combination of time travel and magic centered around the character of Olive Dunwoody, the 11-year-old daughter of two mathematicians who have just moved into an old, creepy Victorian house. Olive, who is left on her own a lot, quickly discovers that an old pair of spectacles that she finds allows her to enter into the worlds contained in the many paintings hung throughout the house. The suspenseful and fast-moving plot will have readers clamoring for Book 2!
J Picture Book: The Village Garage by G. Brian Karas. For ages 4 - 7. This delightful look at a small-town garage and the tasks at hand through the seasons has just the right amount of action, humor and simplicity to capture the imagination and attention of this age group. A young boy and his dog observe the action throughout. One can almost hear the machinery humming…
J Non-fiction: Super Stars: The Biggest, Hottest, Bright
est, Most Explosive Stars in the Milky Way (Plus Black Holes, Brown Dwarfs, Constellations, and More!)by David G. Aguilar. For ages 7 - 11. The pictures alone make this book worth browsing, but there is far more here. Fascinating information for stargazers is presented in an upbeat, punchy writing style, with lots of sidebars and interesting factoids along the way. Includes sky charts, a glossary, further resources and a class stars-to-scale project. A great companion to Aguilar’s 11 Planets.
Kimberly’s Picks - August 2010
J Fiction: Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce Umansky. For ages 9-12. Liam is not a typical 12 year-old boy. On his first day of school the principal mistakes him for a teacher! Normally this would be a problem, but when Liam decides to leave Earth in a spaceship meant for children and one adult chaperon, he easily cons his way into being that adult chaperon. That’s when the adventure begins. When the spaceship gets stranded hundred of thousands of miles from Earth - who’s going to be at adult now? This story has humor and a likable main character! You’ll enjoy reading about how he solves his out of this world dilemma!
J Picture Book – Lyle walks the dogs: a counting book by Bernard Waber. For ages 2-6. Lovable, Lyle, Lyle Crocodile is back is this fantastic counting book. One of my best childhood memories is actually meeting Bernard Weber in elementary school and learning how to draw Lyle. I’m so happy to see Lyle again in this cute story about him and some adorable dogs. Can he handle walking TEN dogs at once? You’ll have to read it and see!
J Non-Fiction: The great and only Barnum: The tremendous, stupendous life of showman P.T Barnum by Candace Fleming. For ages 9-12. Ladies and gentlemen, children of ALL ages, get to know the famous showman P.T Barnum, best known for his part in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. This biography is filled with interesting facts and actual photos of original circus acts such as Jo Jo, the dog faced boy and Captain George Contentenus, tattooed from head to foot!