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17,300 | 0 | Grade 5-10-Starting in 1886 with Geronimo's final surrender, this novel is told from the perspective of his adopted grandson Little Foot, and follows the Chiricahua Apaches from their home in Arizona to Florida. At Fort Marion, the group dwindles, losing children to the Carlisle Indian School, where those who contract tuberculosis are sent home to die and spread the disease. Little Foot escapes this fate and eventually joins the U.S. Infantry. Bruchac's narrative meanders and shifts, but he sprinkles the trail with excitement and humor. Little Foot himself points out, I know that most White Eyes readers are less patient than Indians and prefer short stories that are easy to understand, and some young people will find this one difficult. But fans of history, or of themes of survival and freedom, will find it fascinating-and certainly different from other fare about the man. The fictional Little Foot affords Bruchac the perfect point of view to observe and interpret Geronimo's life, explaining where the history books got it wrong, and offering insights that won't be found there. There is not enough explanation about how Bruchac constructed his story from his sources (listed at the end). Nonetheless, as the author develops a compelling picture of a people driven by universal and recognizable motives, readers may find this story more persuasive than the nonfiction sources available in most libraries.-Nina Lindsay, Oakland Public Library, CA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 7-10. While Bruchac's unnamed narrator is fictional, this novel of Geronimo, the great Chiricahua Apache, is grounded in facts. It begins in September 1886, when Geronimo and many of his band--including his adopted adolescent grandson, who recounts these events as an adult looking back--were taken from Arizona to Florida on a crowded train. At each stop, the terrified prisoners wonder if they will be killed or merely humiliated, as curious "White Eyes" stop to gawk and to buy artifacts from the Indian passengers. Geronimo's patience and canny wisdom come through, even when his group ends up in a humid, insect-infested place and must struggle to find employment. For his part, the narrator keeps himself from being sent to the infamous Carlisle Indian School, where young Indians were stripped of their culture and often contracted tuberculosis. The pace is stately and the storytelling occasionally dense, but many readers will be fascinated by this close-up view of a valiant leader and the hardships endured by his people. Excerpts from primary source documents open each chapter and anchor the fiction in history. GraceAnne DeCandidoCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Geronimo | [
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17,301 | 18 | Starred Review. Grade 4 UpAn exuberant picture-book biography that focuses on Whitman's formative years and his selfless work as a Civil War nurse. Delightfully old-fashioned in design, its oversized pages are replete with graceful illustrations and snippets of poetry. The brilliantly inventive paintings add vibrant testimonial to the nuanced text. Kerley likens the poet's restless energy to the nation itself: "Walt wrote poems as free-ranging as his big robust country. More than anything, he hoped to become the voice of America." When the conflict begins, the artist supplies a somber-hued gallery of soldiers posed in their uniforms. As the war wears on, Kerley notes the fondness Whitman held for his embattled president, whom he'd often see on the streets of the capital. Forced to return home because of his health, he heard news of the war's end, and a few days later, of Lincoln's death. Kerley observes that at this point Whitman turned again to poetry to help himself, along with the nation, resolve his grief and turn toward peace and rebuilding. There are several excellent biographies for older readers that serve the needs of report writers. Libraries will want to add this unabashedly glowing tribute as well for the infectious zeal both author and illustrator bring to their subject and his writings, excerpts of which can be found woven seamlessly into the text and the art.Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 4-8. Although Whitman is most known for poetry "as free-ranging as his big, robust country," much of this treatment focuses on the writer's Civil War experiences providing company and small comforts to wounded soldiers. Lines of poetry elucidate Whitman's thoughts about the war, with the full text of the poems or sections of poems appearing at book's end. It's no surprise that this hasn't the instant appeal of Kerley and Selznick's The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Watkins (2002). The vicissitudes of a poet's life are of less inherent interest to young readers than dinosaur bones, and what whisper of excitement there is in Whitman's biography, Kerley downplays by focusing on his war-scarred twilight years rather than his reverberating "barbaric yawp" against starchy literary tradition. Like his collaborator's narrative, though, Selznick's contributions reflect a keen passion for research, right down to the subtle references to early editions of Leaves of Grass in the book's typeface and design. Try this sophisticated offering on readers who won't quail at the lengthy text and who will be less likely to skip the dense, illuminating endnotes. Younger readers may profit more from the more straightforward presentation of Whitman's words in Loren Long's excellent When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer, reviewed on p.583. Jennifer MattsonCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Walt Whitman: Words for America (New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books (Awards)) | [
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17,302 | 0 | What happens if your adventure takes a turn for the worse? The spiral-bound The Kid's Survival Guide by Claire Llewellyn, with classy mesh netting and a waterproof camouflage trim, teaches techniques for surviving a shark attack and escaping from a burning building. A section on Basic Survival Skills gives tips on everything from storing and preparing food while camping to how to treat a burn or broken arm. Pages for notes within each chapter, collages of photos and colorful sidebars, a compass attached to the cover and a list of helpful organizations such as The Red Cross and Outward Bound round out the spiffy package.Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Kid's Survival Handbook | [
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17,303 | 2 | K-Gr 4Geonardo the inventor loves his little daughter, Cleonardo Wren, very much. He is used to working with her by his side as he crafts fascinating new pieces. This year, for the town's annual Grand Festival of Inventions, Cleo is determined to help her dad achieve greatness, but everything she suggests he gently dismisses. Dismayed, Cleo heads off to create her own invention to impress her dad. With the help of her grandfather, Leonardo, also an inventor, she produces an item that she is proud of, but will others see its value as much as she doeseven her dad? Set in an old town nestled at the foot of a mountain with mystical woods that look fit for fairies, this picture book for kids of all ages is enchanting. The illustrations are painted in deep jewel tones with shadowing that lures one in. The length of the text makes the title ideal as a read-aloud or a read-alone for older kids. The message that children, and, more specifically, girls, are able to build, create, and contribute to society is strong and encouraging, and the heartwarming ending is satisfying, with its gentle reminder that more can be accomplished when people choose to work together. VERDICT This lovely offering has a vintage feel and a timeless message that would work equally well in a STEM class as it would at storytime.Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DEPraise for Cleonardo, the Little Inventor: * "Every image in Caldecott Honor winner GrandPré's newest offering glows with wonder and beauty... Rooted in intelligence and love, GrandPré's story will enthrall, empower, and encourage creation." -- Booklist, starred review "GrandPré creates a spirited heroine with both her words and her illustrations... The story will inspire young readers to embrace their creativity, no matter their preferred medium... An inspiring tale for inventors of all ages." -- Kirkus Reviews "GrandPré's spreads glow with richly embroidered textiles, exotic foliage, and dramatic lighting... It's GrandPré's visual pyrotechnics that will entrance readers." -- Publishers Weekly "Enchanting... The message that children, and, more specifically, girls, are able to build, create, and contribute to society is strong and encouraging, and the heartwarming ending is satisfying, with its gentle reminder that more can be accomplished when people choose to work together. This lovely offering has a vintage feel and a timeless message that would work equally well in a STEM class as it would at storytime." -- School Library JournalPraise for The Noisy Paint Box * "GrandPré's paintings conjure up an entire epoch... breathing life into all the characters." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review * "Richly colored, large acrylic paint and paper collage pictures illustrate the life of Vasily Kandinsky, one of the first painters of abstract art..." -- Booklist, starred review * "A rich, accomplished piece about a pioneer in the art world." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review * "Outstanding." -- School Library Journal, starred review  ; Title: Cleonardo, The Little Inventor | [
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17,304 | 0 | We're proud to "pear" a plum of a poet and a peach of an artist for a book that will be the apple of your eye!Tony Mitton has been hailed in the U.K. for reviving the tradition of English lyric children's poetry. Now he makes his U.S. collection debut with poems for every mood -- thoughtful, funny, silly, fantastical -- all perfectly accompanied by the wondrous pastels of Mary GrandPre. Together they reveal the story of St. Brigid and the baker ... the mysteries that lie down Green Man Lane ... the pleasure of a special hat ... the joys of the Elegant Elephant Delicatessen and the talents of Mrs. Bhattacharya's Chapati Zap Machine. Like plums and poems, this book holds beauty inside.; Title: Plum | [
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17,305 | 2 | "Gilchrist's colored pencil, gouache and watercolor art is as emotion-charged as the lyrics of what is widely considered the African-American national anthem," said PW. All ages.Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: Lift Ev'Ry Voice and Sing | [
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17,306 | 0 | As a child, Dav Pilkey was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD. Dav was so disruptive in class that his teachers made him sit out in the hall every day. Luckily, Dav loved to draw and make up stories, so he spent his time in the hallway creating his own original comic books.In the second grade, Dav Pilkey created a comic book about a superhero named Captain Underpants. His teacher ripped it up and told him he couldnt spend the rest of his life making silly books. Fortunately, Dav was not a very good listener.Dav has gone on to create award-winning and bestselling books for children. His Captain Underpants series has more than 80 million copies in print worldwide and has been translated into more than 28 languages. In 2017, DreamWorks Animation brought the character to the silver screen in the feature film adaptation Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, and Netflix is now streaming The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants TV show.Davs latest creation, Dog Man, continues to be a #1 New York Times bestselling series with more than 13 million copies in print worldwide and translations available in more than 21 languages. Dav is also the creator of the Dragon series, the Dumb Bunnies series, Dog Breath, and The Paperboy, which is a Caldecott Honor Book.Dav lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife.; Title: El Capitn Calzoncillos y la invasin de las horribles seoras del espacio sideral (y el subsiguiente asalto de las igual de horribles zombis malvados del comedor) (Spanish Edition) | [
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17,307 | 2 | As his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry approaches, 15-year-old Harry Potter is in full-blown adolescence, complete with regular outbursts of rage, a nearly debilitating crush, and the blooming of a powerful sense of rebellion. It's been yet another infuriating and boring summer with the despicable Dursleys, this time with minimal contact from our hero's non-Muggle friends from school. Harry is feeling especially edgy at the lack of news from the magic world, wondering when the freshly revived evil Lord Voldemort will strike. Returning to Hogwarts will be a relief... or will it?The fifth book in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series follows the darkest year yet for our young wizard, who finds himself knocked down a peg or three after the events of last year. Somehow, over the summer, gossip (usually traced back to the magic world's newspaper, the Daily Prophet) has turned Harry's tragic and heroic encounter with Voldemort at the Triwizard Tournament into an excuse to ridicule and discount the teen. Even Professor Dumbledore, headmaster of the school, has come under scrutiny by the Ministry of Magic, which refuses to officially acknowledge the terrifying truth that Voldemort is back. Enter a particularly loathsome new character: the toadlike and simpering ("hem, hem") Dolores Umbridge, senior undersecretary to the Minister of Magic, who takes over the vacant position of Defense Against Dark Arts teacher--and in no time manages to become the High Inquisitor of Hogwarts, as well. Life isn't getting any easier for Harry Potter. With an overwhelming course load as the fifth years prepare for their Ordinary Wizarding Levels examinations (O.W.Ls), devastating changes in the Gryffindor Quidditch team lineup, vivid dreams about long hallways and closed doors, and increasing pain in his lightning-shaped scar, Harry's resilience is sorely tested.Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, more than any of the four previous novels in the series, is a coming-of-age story. Harry faces the thorny transition into adulthood, when adult heroes are revealed to be fallible, and matters that seemed black-and-white suddenly come out in shades of gray. Gone is the wide-eyed innocent, the whiz kid of Sorcerer's Stone. Here we have an adolescent who's sometimes sullen, often confused (especially about girls), and always self-questioning. Confronting death again, as well as a startling prophecy, Harry ends his year at Hogwarts exhausted and pensive. Readers, on the other hand, will be energized as they enter yet again the long waiting period for the next title in the marvelous, magical series. (Ages 9 and older) --Emilie CoulterKirkus Reviews July 15th, 2003The Potternaut rolls on, picking up more size than speed but propelling 15-year-old Harry through more hard tests of character and magical ability. Rowling again displays her ability to create both likable and genuinely scary characters--most notable among the latter being a pair of Dementors who accost Harry in a dark alley in the opening chapter. Even more horrible, Ministry of Magic functionary Dolores Umbridge descends upon Hogwarts with a tinkly laugh, a taste in office decor that runs to kitten paintings, and the authority, soon exercised, to torture students, kick Harry off the Quidditch team, fire teachers, and even to challenge Dumbledore himself. Afflicted with sudden fits of adolescent rage, Harry also has worries, from upcoming exams and recurrent eerie dreams to the steadfast refusal of the Magical World's bureaucracy to believe that Voldemort has returned. Steadfast allies remain, including Hermione, whose role here is largely limited to Chief Explainer, and a ragtag secret order of adults formed to protect him from dangers, which they characteristically keep to themselves until he finds out about them the hard way. Constructed, like GOBLET OF FIRE, of multiple, weakly connected plot lines and rousing, often hilarious set pieces, all set against a richly imagined backdrop, this involves its characters once again in plenty of adventures while moving them a step closer to maturity. And it's still impossible to predict how it's all going to turn out. (Fiction. 12-15)Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books September 2003 Harry Potter's latest adventure reveals an admirable hero somewhat the worse for wear: his grief at the death of Cedric, his fear of (and connection to) the evil Lord Voldemort, and his emotional distance from Professor Dumbledore combine to make Harry a bit short-tempered, a bit short-sighted, and a bit more recognizably human. Rowling eases readers back into Harry's world-and-Harry's precarious existence-with nary a ripple: the suburban peace of the Dursleys' manicured lives is shattered by the intrusion of dementors, sent by a rogue in the Ministry of Magic and seeking to do Harry serious injury. A wizard rescue party retrieves Harry from the world of Muggles and sets him down amidst the Order of the Phoenix, a secret society that plots Voldemort's final downfall. With an escalating love life, academic complications at school, and a Ministry of Magic determined to ignore the obvious, Harry is in an adolescent uproar. Revelations about Sirius Black, Professor Snape, and Harry's late father cause the boy to question all he holds true, and his confusion clouds his judgment. A roaring set of practical jokes by Fred and George Weasley against a politically appointed, obnoxious new professor at Hogwarts lightens the tone just in time for the Order's tragic confrontation with Voldemort and his malevolent minions. Rowling cheerfully turns her own conventions on th@ir cars, and the result is a surprising and enjoyable ride. While Harry's much-touted love interest fizzles before it fires, familiar characters achieve a bit more depth. Ginny Weasley starts to come into her own, Hermione employs a dryly wicked wit, and Dumbledore reveals, if not feet, at least a little toe of clay. It's no longer quite clear that all will work out in the end; the lines are being drawn, but, as exemplified by Percy Weasley, not everyone is on the right side. Rowling has managed to make Harry and his fate a bit less predictable, which, in the fifth of a seven-volume series, is a very good thing. JMD Horn Book Magazine(September 1, 2003; 0-439-35806-X)(Intermediate, Middle School) This review is much like the proverbial tree falling in an uninhabited forest: unlikely to make a sound. But for the record, HP5 is the best in the series since Azkaban, and far superior to the turgid HP4. With Rowling once again f; Title: Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix | [
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17,308 | 14 | Santa is on a year-long self-improvement binge ("My clothes are old-fashioned and my `Ho-ho-ho' is so-so-so boring"). With the support of the privately amused Mrs. Claus, Santa slims down, spikes his hair and experiments with a variety of sartorial styles before settling on a hipster suit and shades. Wolff's droll and assured text finds its match in Cravath's (One Little Two Little Three Little Pilgrims) puckish illustrations. Kids will have a hard time deciding which of the "new, improved" incarnations is funniest-hip-hop Santa, toting a boom box, is only one contender. Ages 4-7.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.Kindergarten-Grade 3-Santa is feeling fat, old-fashioned, and boring, so he decides to change his image. In January, he goes on a diet. In February, he starts an exercise program. In March, he experiments with his hair-with extremely mixed results. In October, he purchases a roaring red rocket-copter. Throughout the year, Mrs. Claus lends her unending support (while subtly reassuring the elves and the reindeer that they really don't have anything to worry about). When November rolls around, Santa unveils his new and improved self, and is dismayed that the children seem to hate all the changes he's made. Not to worry: Mrs. Claus helps him get back to his traditional attire in time for Christmas, and Santa learns a valuable lesson. Funny, trendy references and a cool retro feel to the art make this an appealing book for adults as well as kids. It is especially suited for group sharing.-M. A. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: A New Improved Santa | [
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17,309 | 11 | Starred Review. Grade 5-8Hitler's plans for the future of Germany relied significantly on its young people, and this excellent history shows how he attempted to carry out his mission with the establishment of the Hitler Youth, or Hitlerjugend, in 1926. With a focus on the years between 1933 and the end of the war in 1945, Bartoletti explains the roles that millions of boys and girls unwittingly played in the horrors of the Third Reich. The book is structured around 12 young individuals and their experiences, which clearly demonstrate how they were victims of leaders who took advantage of their innocence and enthusiasm for evil means. Their stories evolve from patriotic devotion to Hitler and zeal to join, to doubt, confusion, and disillusion. (An epilogue adds a powerful what-became-of-them relevance.) The large period photographs are a primary component and they include Nazi propaganda showing happy and healthy teens as well as the reality of concentration camps and young people with large guns. The final chapter superbly summarizes the weighty significance of this part of the 20th century and challenges young readers to prevent history from repeating itself. Bartoletti lets many of the subjects' words, emotions, and deeds speak for themselves, bringing them together clearly to tell this story unlike anyone else has.Andrew Medlar, Chicago Public Library, IL Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.*Starred Review* Gr. 7-10. What was it like to be a teenager in Germany under Hitler? Bartoletti draws on oral histories, diaries, letters, and her own extensive interviews with Holocaust survivors, Hitler Youth, resisters, and bystanders to tell the history from the viewpoints of people who were there. Most of the accounts and photos bring close the experiences of those who followed Hitler and fought for the Nazis, revealing why they joined, how Hitler used them, what it was like. Henry Mentelmann, for example, talks about Kristallnacht, when Hitler Youth and Storm Troopers wrecked Jewish homes and stores, and remembers thinking that the victims deserved what they got. The stirring photos tell more of the story. One particularly moving picture shows young Germans undergoing de-Nazification by watching images of people in the camps. The handsome book design, with black-and-white historical photos on every double-page spread, will draw in readers and help spark deep discussion, which will extend beyond the Holocaust curriculum. The extensive back matter is a part of the gripping narrative. Hazel RochmanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow | [
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17,310 | 0 | Kids Book; Title: Cats at the Campground (Animal Ark Series #32) | [
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17,311 | 0 | DEBBIE DADEY and MARCIA THORNTON JONES came up with the idea for The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids when they both worked at a school in Lexington, Kentucky. Today Debbie and her family live in Fort Collins, Colorado. Marcia and her husband still live in Kentucky.; Title: Sea Serpents Don't Juggle Water Balloons (The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids, #46) | [
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17,312 | 2 | Kids Book; Title: Pony in a Package (Animal Ark Series #27) | [
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17,313 | 11 | A friendly international cast of children stars in Hello World! Greetings in 42 Languages Around the Globe! by Manya Stojic, aimed at younger readers. Their sumptuous full-bleed portraits appear throughout. A caption includes his or her word for "hello" (e.g. "Kia Ora!") in large letters, along with its pronunciation (KEE-ah OH-rah) and origin (Maori). Portuguese, Serbian and Arabic are among the other languages represented; however, some languages (e.g. Guajajra and Bambara) may be unfamiliar to readers and Stojic does not indicate the countries in which they are spoken; adults may need to consult an atlas in order to point out the locations to young readers. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.Kindergarten-Grade 2-The purpose of this picture book is to encourage children to learn how to greet one another in a variety of languages, including Dinka, Hiri Motu, Yucateco, and Bambara. Greetings appear with a bold, nearly full-page acrylic painting of a child. Stojic starts with a Hawaiian "Aloha," and ends her world travels with a Maori "Kia Ora"; the phonetic spelling appears beneath each greeting. However, there is no map or country identification, and many readers won't know where the languages are spoken or by whom. The artwork focuses on children's faces, depicting them with simple features: two dots or curved lines for eyes; two small arched lines, one for the nose, and one for the mouth. These round-headed youngsters are appealing, and the uniformity in facial features serves as a visual metaphor for their universal humanity; skin tone, hair color, and accessories provide for personal uniqueness. This deceivingly simple book encourages interest in and awareness of other languages. Children can easily memorize the words and share them with family, friends, and people in their community who may not speak English as their first language. While best suited for those who have reading ability, the volume may be read aloud to younger children, who also want to learn how to be friendly globally.Carol L. MacKay, Camrose Public Library, Alberta, CanadaCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Hello World! Greetings in 42 Languages Around the Globe | [
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17,314 | 2 | In this enlightening first novel, Hidier offers readers an engrossing, personal account of the Indian-American experience through the eyes of an insightful narrator. Dimple Lala, a New Jersey teen interested in photography, has been confused about her identity since she entered the world the "wrong way," causing her mother "twelve treacherous hours of painful labor." Her fascination with photography reveals Dimple's keen sense of perception as well as her role as an observer rather than a participant. "Not quite Indian, and not quite American," Dimple unsuccessfully tries to blend in, riding on the coattails of her blue-eyed, blonde best friend, Gwyn. The author nimbly describes the shared outsider status that drew together the two, "the rich little girl who lived like an orphan and the brown little girl who existed as if she were still umbilically attached to her parents." During Dimple's 17th year, however, the tables suddenly turn when Dimple's parents introduce her to Karsh Kapoor, the son of their close friends from India. Through their meeting, the author reveals Dimple's mother's own secret creative aspirations (to become a dancer in her youth) as well as another first-generation teen's attempt to straddle both cultures. When Gwyn becomes infatuated with Karsh, Dimple helps Gwyn become a suitable girlfriend for him, even as she gradually comes to admire Karsh herself. In the process, the heroine embarks on a journey of self-discovery. On one level, the book explores the growing pains, rebellious phases, peer pressures and first love experienced universally by teens. On a deeper level, it celebrates a harmonious blending of cultures as it traces one adolescent's bumpy trek towards self-actualization. If a few subplots take the main action on a slight detour (e.g., Gwyn's relationship with her high school-cum-college boyfriend, etc.), the sparkling prose will carry readers along. The author seamlessly integrates descriptions of Indian food, dress and customs, often spiced with Dimple's sarcastic commentary. But even as Dimple distances herself from her family's traditions, her sense of respect and genuine affection for her accomplished parents (both doctors) are never far from the surface. The author poetically captures the essence of her characters and the richness of seemingly insignificant moments. Absorbing and intoxicating, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression. Ages 13-up. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.Grade 9 Up-Dimple Lala has spent her entire life trying to fit in. In India, she is too American, while in America she feels unable to conform, largely because of her parents' efforts to educate and involve her in Indian culture. By her 17th birthday, she feels incapable of making anyone happy and is hopelessly confused as to where she belongs. Her parents are unhappy about her obsession with photography and her dating activities, while Dimple herself feels that her best friend, Gwyn, is either ignoring her for a new boyfriend or trying to usurp Dimple's family. Her parents come up with what they think is a perfect solution-they introduce her to Karsh, a suitable boy. Dimple is turned off at the thought. Just when she is sure that things can't get more complicated, she meets him again, now involved in activities that would render him completely unsuitable to her parents but that interest her. By this time Gwyn decides that he seems like the perfect boyfriend for her and Dimple ends up with a number of tricky situations. This involving story, filled with detail about the protagonist's life and background, will reward its readers. The family background and richness in cultural information add a new level to the familiar girl-meets-boy story. Teens will be rooting for Dimple and her quest to find her own place in her family and country.Betsy Fraser, Calgary Public Library, CanadaCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Born Confused | [
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17,315 | 0 | Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thorton Jones came up with the idea for The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids when they both worked at a school in Lexington, Kentucky. Today Debbie and her family live in Fort Collins, Colorado. Marcia and her husband still live in Kentucky.; Title: Wizards Don't Wear Graduation Gowns #45 (The Adventures Of The Bailey School Kids) (The Adventures Of The Bailey School Kids) | [
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17,316 | 0 | School Library Journal--August, 2,000"Nine-year-old Elizabeth records her experiences as she, her family, and other colonists adjust to the harsh weather conditions, illness, endless hard work, and nascent social strata in the new land. In the course of three months, Elizabeth meets Captain John Smith, Pocahontas, Gabriel Archer, and George Percy. This is a quick, easy read. Hermes has created a sensitive main character and readers will empathize with her fears and emotions as she adjusts to her new life." --Shawn Brommer, Souther Tier Library System, Painted Post, NYPatricia Hermes was born in 1936 in Brooklyn, New York. An avid reader, she had time to practice both reading and writing when she came down with rheumatic fever, which left her stuck in bed for months. Hermes majored in speech and English at St. John's University, and taught junior high school English and social studies before taking time off to raise her five children. Returning to teaching after a number of years, she found it less satisfying than she'd remembered, and decided to try her hand at writing for publication. She took a class in writing nonfiction for adults; the teacher, Russell Freedman, would go on to win the Newbery Medal.After publishing some articles, Hermes found the niche she'd been looking for: her first novel for young readers, What If They Knew?, was published in 1980. Hermes gave the main character in the book epilepsy, a problem she had dealt with herself as a child. Readers responded well to the believable situation, and over the years Hermes has continued to write stories featuring youngsters in difficult situations, so that readers can turn to her books knowing they are not alone. She has written more than 20 books for children and young adults.Patricia Hermes lives in Connecticut, where she spends four hours of the day writing and the rest editing her work and answering letters. When she is not writing, she enjoys reading, running, music, traveling, horseback riding, and playing the piano. ; Title: My America: Our Strange New Land: Elizabeth's Jamestown Colony Diary, Book One | [
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17,317 | 18 | Grade 5-8-Through the stories of five immigrants, the world of New York City's tenements in the late 19th and early 20th centuries comes alive with descriptions of the newcomers' struggles and triumphs as they attended night school, abandoned customs, or in other ways acclimated to life in America. Some came as children, others as teenagers, all eager either to succeed on their own or to help their families. Leonard Covello, who left Italy and arrived at Ellis Island with his mother and younger brothers six years after his father, became a high school principal. Pauline Newman began her working career in 1901 as a child laborer in the garment industry and later became one of the first women organizers of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. Citing sources, Hopkinson quotes frequently from her subjects' and others' writing, and provides a detailed and intimate picture of daily life in Manhattan's Lower East Side. The text is supported by numerous tinted, archival photos of living and working conditions. Although this book will appeal to students looking for material for projects, the writing lends immediacy and vivid images make it simply a fascinating read.Carol Fazioli, formerly at The Brearley School, New York CityCopyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.*Starred Review* Gr. 5-12. In the tradition of Russell Freedman's Immigrant Kids (1980), but much more detailed, this history of the 23 million immigrants who came to New York City from southern and eastern Europe at the end of the nineteenth century humanizes the statistics by weaving together the personal stories of five young people with the social conditions that caused them to emigrate, what they left behind, what they hoped for, what they found, and how they changed America. Amazing documentary photos by Jacob Riis and many others, as well as riveting quotes from archives and memoirs, add depth and drama to the accounts of young people, from street to school to sweatshop. At 16, Marcus Ravage convinces his parents to sell the family cow to pay for his journey from Romania. Lithuanian immigrant Pauline Newman becomes one of the first women labor organizers. Italian American Leonard Covello is ashamed to bring his friends home, even as he learns that he can become American without rejecting where he came from. Meticulous documentation, including full chapter notes, will help the many young people--and their parents and grandparents--who will want to know more and to research their own family roots. Hazel RochmanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Shutting Out the Sky: Life in the Tenements of New York, 1880-1924 (Jane Addams Honor Book (Awards)) | [
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17,318 | 0 | NOTES (from Pilkey.com)"This book contains the very first political comic I've ever written: 'The Bride of Hairy Potty'. It's a humorous story about a mad scientist who happens to be a misogynist (a person who hates women). In this tale, the evil scientist, Dr. Frankenbeanies, wants to create a monster. He decides to make it a 'lady monster' so he can 'boss it around'. From there, his vile and ignorant ideas get more and more outrageous. I wanted to show kids how BAD and STUPID it is to discriminate, so I made sure that the mad scientist was as unlikable as possible. His hateful agenda is so backwards, even his naive assistant points it out to him. True to his character, however, the mad scientist's pig-headedness continues until he is finally punished by the very woman he intended to discriminate against. His punishment is deliberately funny, too. I wanted this despicable character to be SO unsympathetic that my audience wouldn't even feel sorry for him when he gets his 'just reward'. I have a feeling that some children will read this comic and won't even realize that it has a feminist agenda. But I doubt that any child, not even a two-year-old, would mistake the mad scientist for a 'good guy'. Even if children simply laugh at the story and come away with an idea that it's bad to be mean, then I feel like I accomplished what I set out to do. Kids learn by examples--- both good and bad examples. And who knows? Perhaps this silly story will plant a seed: that being a hateful person will make you look evil and foolish, and nobody will care if bad things happen to you." --Dav Pilkey Fun Facts: 1. This comic is the THIRD time that Captain Underpants and Super Diaper Baby have appeared in the same story. Can you guess the other two times? (answer below) 2. This comic contains references to the following films and pop-culture icons: Harry Potter, The Bride of Frankenstein, Popeye, The Lady and the Tramp, The Little Rascals, King Kong, The Three Stooges, Bridget Jones's Diary, Elvis Presley, and Scarface. 3. This comic will soon be part of a new graphic novel by George and Harold. It will also contain the first Hairy Potty story (from the Captain Underpants Extra-Crunchy Book O' Fun), several deleted scenes, and an all-new third chapter. The book will be called Captain Underpants and the Night of the Terror of the Dawn of the Day of the Curse of the Late-Afternoon of the Son of the Bride of Hairy Potty.ANSWER: The other two times that Captain Underpants and Super Diaper Baby have appeared in the same story are: The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby (book #1), and Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Tale of the Tattle-Tron 2000, a mini-comic which appears on page 61 of Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy Part 1: The Night of the Nasty Nostril Nuggets (book #6). ; Title: The All New Captain Underpants Extra-Crunchy Book o' Fun 2 | [
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17,319 | 2 | When she starts at a new school, Dreenie feels drawn to a frail classmate, whom everyone calls "Bluish." In a starred review, PW said, "Readers will come to cherish Dreenie's openheartedness." Ages 9-12. (June) Fiction REPRINTS Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Bluish | [
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17,320 | 2 | Grade 5-8--A 12-year-old protagonist replaces Ernest Hemingway's elderly Santiago in this takeoff on the classic novelette, set this time in coastal Maine. Skiff has lost his mother and, since her death, his father, once a hardworking fisherman locally known for his skills with a harpoon, has sunken into such deep, beer-soaked despair that his son can't seem to rouse him off the couch. As Skiff tries to single-handedly stem the rising tide of slovenly decay threatening to swamp what's left of his family, he also must contend with Tyler Croft, a bullying rich kid who sabotages his efforts to get ahead. Things seem entirely hopeless until the day he sees a giant tuna hauled in from offshore and sold for a large sum as a source for premium sushi. The fish literally and symbolically embodies all of Skiff's ambitions for a better life, and he decides to try to catch one using just a 10-foot plywood boat and a harpoon created by his father. As in The Old Man and the Sea, the ensuing adventure is told through an inner dialogue, one in which Skiff sometimes imagines he is speaking to his mother. This excellent maritime bildungsroman has all of the makings of a juvenile classic: wide-open adventure, heart-pounding suspense, and just the right amount of tear-jerking pathos, all neatly wrapped up in an ending that--unlike its namesake's--is purely triumphant. A great read-aloud, a natural for classroom use, and a must-have for all collections.--Jeffrey Hastings, Highlander Way Middle School, Howell, MI Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 5-6. Philbrick, author of Freak the Mighty (1993), channels Hemingway but adds a more conventional happy ending in this mesmerizing boy-meets-big-fish tale. Of his recently dead mother's three rules--think smart, speak true, and never give up--Skiff Beaman has taken only the last two to heart. With his dad reduced to a grieving drunk and their fishing boat needing thousands of dollars in repairs, Skiff goes for death in the afternoon, chugging out into the Maine fog in a 10-foot skiff on a quixotic quest to harpoon a valuable bluefin. Thirty miles out to sea, he meets his monster tuna. In the best survival-story tradition, Skiff's account will leave readers as exhausted as he becomes; battling his quarry and then bringing it in takes every ounce of courage and endurance that he can muster. For seasoning, Philbrick adds a supportive cast of older neighbors and a bully, then demonstrates that the sun also rises by finishing Skiff's ordeal with the boy wrapped in his reformed father's arms. A moveable feast for fans of Gary Paulsen, or nautical adventures in general. John PetersCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: The Young Man And The Sea | [
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17,321 | 0 | Praise for the Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot series:"An adventure story with great appeal . . . With barely more text than a long easy-reader, this title will be a heaven-sent choice for kids with reading difficulties." School Library Journal"It's easy to see how Pilkey's high-action, easy-reading chapter novel with a comic book feel would appeal to younger readers . . . Silly good fun." Kirkus"Newly independent readers and Pilkey fans alike will not be disappointed by this humorous ride." School Library Journal"Aimed at a younger audience than the wildly popular Captain Underpants books, this series opener has all the classic Pilkey hallmarks..." Booklist"Considered one of the most popular contemporary authors for readers in elementary school, (Dav Pilkey) is also regarded as a talented artist and inventive humorist as well as a subtle moralist. ...He underscores his works--even at their most outrageous--with a philosophy that emphasizes friendship, tolerance, and generosity and celebrates the triumph of the good-hearted." -The Educational Book & Media AssociationDav Pilkey is the Caldecott Honor Award-winning creator of more than 40 books for children.; Title: Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Uranium Unicorns from Uranus (Ricky Ricotta, No. 7) | [
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17,322 | 0 | "All-around gung ho gal" Loretta measures her worth by the number of Pinky Scout merits she achieves. Her pink sash and lavender beret are studded with pins that attest to her accomplishments, and she "save[s] the world every Thursday." The only thing between Loretta and perfection is the Golden Marshmallow Badge, for which she practices faithfully. "Then the unthinkable happened. Foof!" During the official test, Loretta chars her marshmallows. She goes to weep in shame before a portrait of her four-star-general Gran, "the most perfect Pinky of all." In a twinkling, a vision of Gran appears (via her portrait) in a military-green vortex to console the overachiever: "Well, girlfriend, stinking is a part of life. Everyone stinks at something. Even me." Gran admits she never could knot a ribbon; her neat bow-tie is a clip-on. Graves (Frank Was a Monster Who Wanted to Dance) skewers Loretta for her marshmallow mania, and depicts her with licorice-thin arms, tiny army boots and a pageant contestant's pained smile. No (live) family members, troop leaders or other Pinky Scouts are in evidence, so Loretta seems friendless but for Gran and a portrait gallery of Pinkies. The nerdy scout has a valuable epiphany about talent, but will not rouse much sympathy from readers in this awkward blend of irony and earnestness. Ages 7-10.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.Kindergarten-Grade 3-Meet Loretta, with her scout badges, pink beret and gloves, and her lineage of perfection. She's gung ho all right, in more ways than one, as she works hard to be just like her Gran, who had been the "most perfect Pinky of all," and who speaks to her through a picture frame on the wall. The child memorizes her scout manual, flosses her teeth, bench-presses 375 pounds, and saves the world once a week from terrors like an oversized hen. She has earned every badge a Pinky Scout can earn, except one: the Golden Marshmallow Badge, which involves preparing perfectly browned confections over an open fire. When she fails, for the first time in her life, she learns from Granny that no one is perfect. But give up? Never! She may not be able to toast marshmallows, but she sure can save the world from robotlike creatures, and she earns a Congressional Medal. Loretta's can-do attitude, humor, and enthusiasm for life make her a heroine whom readers will admire. Wonderful caricatures are a perfect accompaniment to the text. Loretta's disproportionate body with a larger-than-life head captures her over-the-top personality. The colorful, rowdy illustrations do her justice, and bring her to life as a persistent perfectionist. A great read-aloud.Leslie Barban, Richland County Public Library, Columbia, SCCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Loretta: Ace Pinky Scout | [
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17,323 | 0 | Horn Book Guide(April 1, 2004; 0-439-37644-0)Mouse Ricky Ricotta is visiting his cousin Lucy when Sergeant Stinkbug and his army arrive from Saturn with a plan to take over Earth. These stinkers kidnap Lucy, but, as usual, Ricky's robot comes to the rescue. Illustrated with black-and-white comic-book-style images, the slight story is so similar to others in the series (this is the sixth offering) that even fans may find it boring. Copyright 2004 of The Horn Book, Inc. All rights reserved.School Library Journal(January 1, 2004; 0-439-37644-0)Gr 2-4-In their sixth adventure, young mouse Ricky and his robot friend battle Sergeant Stinkbug and his foul-smelling hordes. The iniquitous insects need a new realm to pollute, so they launch their garbage-can spaceship, planning to kidnap the king of Earth and take over the planet. Unfortunately, they snatch Ricky's cousin Lucy instead. Ricky and the Mighty Robot ride to the rescue, accompanied by Lucy's unusual pet jackrabbits, which were introduced in Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Jurassic Jackrabbits from Jupiter (Scholastic, 2002). When Sergeant Stinkbug's Grow-Big Gumballs put the robot out of commission, it is up to the children to dump the trash troops and save the world once again. The short, easy-reading text is highlighted by Pilkey's off-the-wall, deadpan humor. The black-and-white cartoons and the Flip-O-Rama pages add to the comic-book effect. This is a lighthearted transitional chapter book that will have strong appeal to reluctant readers.-Elaine E. Knight Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.Publishers Weekly(September 29, 2003; 0-439-37645-9)In the sixth book in Dav Pilkey's adventure series aimed at younger readers, Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Stupid Stinkbugs from Saturn by Dav Pilkey, illus. by Martin Ontiveros, a smelly space monster kidnaps Ricky's cousin Lucy. When Sergeant Stinkbug captures Ricky's Mighty Robot too, it's Ricky's turn to save the day. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information."Considered one of the most popular contemporary authors for readers in elementary school, (Dav Pilkey) is also regarded as a talented artist and inventive humorist as well as a subtle moralist. ...He underscores his works--even at their most outrageous--with a philosophy that emphasizes friendship, tolerance, and generosity and celebrates the triumph of the good-hearted." -The Educational Book & Media AssociationDav Pilkey is the Caldecott Honor Award-winning creator of more than 40 books for children.; Title: Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. The Stupid Stinkbugs from Saturn | [
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17,324 | 10 | Can Agent A complete his mission and uncover a rogue spy? Find out, in this silly, spy-themed alphabet book by illustrator-author Andy Rash (The Robots Are Coming) as you walk through the alphabet one letter (and one secret agent) at a time.Agent A receives an urgent mission from the boss: "Every spy who is official/ uses words with his initial./ But one spy is out of line./ I need to know his name by nine." So the faithful agent takes off, racing through the alphabet to find the troublemaker: "Agent B correctly chooses/ Blue and so the Bomb defuses"; "Agent C is Crawling up/ the window using suction Cups." Crossing suspects off his list, Agent A works his way through a goofy, bumbling crew of colleagues who wear all sorts of crazy gear to complete their missions: "Agent I is Incognito,/ posing as a large mosquito". All the stories check out, until Agent A makes a startling discovery that could get him kicked out of the agency (and make him miss the big Agent Dance!).Rash keeps the pace fast and funny, drawing dynamic spreads that maintain the book's mock-serious, Get Smart tone while still providing plenty of colorful, comedic details, from surreptitiously poisoned martinis to a gadget-equipped circular agent bed. (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul HughesGrade 1-3--In a takeoff on Mission Impossible, cartoonist Rash sets up a clever plot for an alphabet book. The narrative begins before the title page when Agent A receives a message ordering him to find a bogus spy who does not use a word beginning with his or her initial. He sets off and makes his way through the list of agents, each of whom is described in a rhyming couplet ("Agent I is Incognito, posing as a large mosquito"). Some couplets scan better than others ("Agent C is Crawling up/the window using suction Cups"). "Agent N decodes a Note/to learn that it was one he wrote." "Agent W attacks/a spy she didn't know was Wax." However, the theme is fun and well executed. The humorous illustrations, drawn in ink and digitally colored, are filled with the stuff of spy thrillers: black backgrounds or frames, shadows, an overhead bulb casting a triangle of light in a dark office, and Agent A skulking around every corner. Small black smudges add texture. The spies themselves are especially ridiculous with their silly disguises, nutty kung-fu moves, and abundant mishaps. Youngsters may guess the surprise ending before this crazy caper concludes, but they'll definitely enjoy the mission.--Marianne Saccardi, Norwalk Community College, CT Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.; Title: Agent A To Agent Z | [
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17,325 | 6 | Mark Kistler is one of the most popular drawing teachers in the world. During the course of Marks decades-long and still-thriving career, he has progressively evolved from a classroom educator to a large audience presenter, to a national television personality for many years, to a bestselling author/illustrator, to a significant online presence (with more than a million views of his YouTube videos!), to a respected drawing teacher for both adults and children. Mark has received several million personal letters from fans, and his web sites have been visited by millions of viewers. He has been the featured presenter to more than a million students, teachers, administrators, and parents at schools nationwide, and his books have sold more than 600,000 copies. Marks first adult drawing book, You Can Draw in 30 Days, has become an entrenched category-leader. Mark deeply believes that learning how to draw builds critical thinking skills and nourishes self-esteem. His positive messages on self-image, goal-setting, dream questing, environmental awareness and the power of reading have inspired millions of people to discover their awesome individual potential. Mark lives in Houston, Texas. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.; Title: Dare To Draw In 3-d #4 | [
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17,326 | 6 | Paperback; Title: Dare to Draw in 3-d #1: Monster Mania: Crazy Creatures (monsters) | [
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17,327 | 2 | Grade 3-6--This seventh title in the series is witty, fun, and full of adventure. George and Harold think everything is fine as the Robo-Boogers are jettisoned into space, but alas, a complication has occurred. Mr. Krupp, the principal, and Melvin have had their brains switched by the Combine-O-Tron, and they become known as Kruppy the Kid and Mr. Melvin. The Robo-Boogers miraculously return on a space shuttle as Miss Singerbrains, the school librarian, gets into the action by taking the Purple Potty from the basement of the library and Mr. Melvin turns it into a magical time machine (a whole other story). As Miss Singerbrains and the boys fly with their pet pterosaurs, the youngsters regain control of the Combine-O-Tron and the Forgetchamacallit 2000 and they ultimately restore Mr. Krupp and Melvin to their rightful selves. However, the switch does not restore Captain Underpants's powers. Then, just in the nick of time, George and Harold come through. The Purple Potty time machine, which is not supposed to be used two days in a row, awaits the boys, but they, of course, use it again, so the end of this story is just the beginning of the next adventure of Captain Underpants. With fast-paced action and humorous, kid-friendly artwork, this story is creative, imaginative, and truly boisterous.--JoAnn Jonas, Chula Vista Public Library, San Diego, CA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.The Critics are Crazy about Captain Underpants! "Combines empowerment and empathy with age-appropriate humor and action" - Booklist"Celebrates the triumph of the good-hearted."- The Educational Book and Media Association"(One of the) 5 Books That All Children Should Read" - Healthy Family Matters"They'll (parents) appreciate children laughing as they dive in and page through this old-fashioned thing called a book." - The New York Times"For every downtrodden fun-seeking kid who never wanted to read a book."- School Library Journal; Title: Captain Underpants and the Big, Bad, Battle of the Bionic Booger Boy, Part 2 | [
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17,328 | 2 | PreSchool-Grade 2. Kristen's baby brother is born at a zoo instead of a hospital. Her overwrought parents repeatedly bring home the wrong infant?first an alligator, then a seal, then a monkey. Finally, brave Kristen takes off on her bike and locates the misplaced "people baby." Thanks to the brave, smart big sister, the babies get sorted out, "And everything was okay...until Kristen's mother had twins." Storytime audiences will cackle as Kristen examines each baby, pointing out the animal parts (claws, flippers, tails, etc.) that convince her none of these creatures is her new brother. The silliness escalates in the ebullient watercolor illustrations. Kristen's mother tosses hair curlers out the car window on the first trip to the zoo, leaving her hair to twist wildly for the rest of the story. The animal youngsters have a grand time visiting the humans' house. The seal balances shampoo on its nose while it plays in the bathtub; the monkey swings from the chandelier. Refreshingly different from most "new baby" stories.?Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VACopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.ROBERT MUNSCH likes to use kids he meets on his storytelling adventures across Canada and the U.S. in his books. Ribbon Rescue was inspired by Jillian, a Mohawk girl from the Kahnawake reserve outside of Montreal, who went to hear a storytelling wearing a traditional ribbon dress. We Share Everything! is about Amanda and Jeremiah, whom he met in Pontiac, Michigan.Robert and his wife live in Guelph with their three children - each of whom has appeared in various Munsch stories - and their dog, Cinder. Bob spends most of his time writing, and likes to devote his spare time to making school visits and telling stories. His books for Scholastic include Alligator Baby, Andrew's Loose Tooth, Get Out of Bed!, Ribbon Rescue, Mmm, Cookies!, Makeup Mess, Up, Up, Down, Aaron's Hair and Playhouse. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.; Title: Alligator Baby | [
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17,329 | 0 | This slim, paper-over-board volume by the creators of The Paper Bag Princess and Alligator Baby gives some loose-tooth cliches a slapstick spin. When Andrew's wobbly, hurting tooth prevents him from eating an apple, his mother yanks at it futilely with both hands. His father then puts his foot on the boy's nose and attempts to pull it with pliers. However, this effort is no more successful than the dentist's endeavor to tie one end of a rope to the tooth and the other to his car (which falls apart when he drives away), or the tooth fairy's attempted extraction with a hammer. A vigorous sneeze (brought on by his best friend's idea that Andrew inhale pepper) finally does the trick, sending the tooth flying through the air, "all the way across town." Martchenko's watercolor cartoons embellish the tale's hyperbole with funky touches: wearing beads and sandals, the ponytailed dentist arrives in a car boasting a giant rooftop tooth; and the leather-clad, motorcycle-riding tooth fairy sports a necklace studded with specimens of her trade. Although it's all quite inane, Munsch fans will be thoroughly entertained. Ages 3-6. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.Kindergarten-Grade 3AOnce again, Munsch and Martchenko have produced a fun-to-read story with just the kind of exaggerated humor and pictures that appeal to youngsters. Andrew has a loose tooth. He wants to eat an apple but it hurts. Both of his parents, the dentist, and even a motorcycle-riding Tooth Fairy try some pretty drastic measures to help him get rid of the stubborn tooth, but with no success. When there seems to be no solution, some pepper takes care of the problem by causing a big sneeze. The brightly colored, full-page cartoons and the repetitive language make this a good read-aloud. Andrew's repeated "YEEE-OW!" will get listeners involved from the first page, and young readers will fall quickly into the easy-to-follow story pattern. A whopper, whether it is shared one-on-one or with a group.AMarty Abbott Goodman, L.J. Bell Elementary School, Rockingham, NCCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.; Title: Andrew's Loose Tooth | [
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17,330 | 13 | Mark Kistler is one of the most popular drawing teachers in the world. During the course of Marks decades-long and still-thriving career, he has progressively evolved from a classroom educator to a large audience presenter, to a national television personality for many years, to a bestselling author/illustrator, to a significant online presence (with more than a million views of his YouTube videos!), to a respected drawing teacher for both adults and children. Mark has received several million personal letters from fans, and his web sites have been visited by millions of viewers. He has been the featured presenter to more than a million students, teachers, administrators, and parents at schools nationwide, and his books have sold more than 600,000 copies. Marks first adult drawing book, You Can Draw in 30 Days, has become an entrenched category-leader. Mark deeply believes that learning how to draw builds critical thinking skills and nourishes self-esteem. His positive messages on self-image, goal-setting, dream questing, environmental awareness and the power of reading have inspired millions of people to discover their awesome individual potential. Mark lives in Houston, Texas. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.; Title: Dare To Draw In 3-d #3 | [
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17,331 | 0 | Book by Lasky, Kathryn; Title: My America: An American Spring, Sofia's Immigrant Diary (Book 3) | [
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17,332 | 1 | Jerry Pallotta is an award-winning author of children's books, including WHO WILL GUIDE MY SLEIGH TONIGHT?, APPLE FRACTIONS, and THE HERSHEY'S MILK CHOCOLATE MULTIPLICATION BOOK. His combination of interesting facts, detailed research, humor, and realistic illustrations have mesmerized countless children across the United States. You can visit him at www.jerrypallotta.com.; Title: Icky Bug Shapes | [
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17,333 | 2 | Grade 8 Up-Anthony "Spoon" Witherspoon, 17, leaves Harlem, and his girl, Gabi, to spend his senior year at Wallingford Academy in Connecticut, with the hope that he will get into an Ivy League college. While he adjusts to prep-school life and navigates the racial and social divides of the haves and the want-to-haves, Gabi's life comes undone. Her mother is dying, her younger brother may be running with a gang, and her blind grandfather has come to stay. When Spoon comes home for Christmas, Gabi is different. She's thinner, certainly, and so is her spirit. Spoon discovers a needle in her room and "the beast," heroin, is uncovered. Gabi-a clear-eyed, sassy Dominicana who writes poetry and dreams of attending Columbia-explains that she has lost the road that once ran through her life to her future. Most of the first-person narrative takes place during the holiday break in Harlem, and Myers's descriptions of the streets and people-the bright, clean, working-class hope and the slate-gray bankruptcy of drugs and crime-are photographically authentic and dizzyingly musical. Spoon's observations are philosophical and precocious, but the story races along at the pace of his anxieties-about a future, with or without Gabi, and about his place in Harlem and in the world. The language is simple and clean; the plot unfolds seamlessly; and the characters emerge shaky, worldly wise, and cautiously optimistic.Johanna Lewis, New York Public LibraryCopyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 9-12. High-school senior Spoon hopes to marry his girlfriend, Gabi, an aspiring poet with "a smile that pleases the angels," and he hates to leave her for a year to attend a Connecticut prep school. During the fall, Gabi's letters become infrequent, and when Spoon returns home for the holidays, he's heartbroken to discover that she has begun to use "the beast": drugs. In his latest novel, Myers tells a powerful story of first love and the profound ways that drugs touch everyone: "If Gabi could lose her way, so could I." Spoon narrates in a voice that's artistic and colloquial, his thoughts tumbling out as poetry, and readers may miss the precise sense of some passages. But Myers captures the disorientation of living between worlds, where home is "the same, but not the same," and Spoon's sharp observations about race and love will resonate deeply with teens, as will his ambivalence about the future: "I don't know. I'm not even sure what there is to know." Gillian EngbergCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Beast, The | [
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17,334 | 13 | Grade 69Sixteen-year-old musician Mark Purvis longs to break into the jazz scene of 1925 Harlem, but when he becomes embroiled in a bootlegging scheme with real-life jazzman Fats Waller, he has to find a way to pay off an angry mob boss for losing the liquor. Mark has a job at The Crisis, a magazine headed up by W. E. B. DuBois and published by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. As expected, his lovably carefree and occasionally clueless personality gets him into an insurmountable pile of trouble, yet it energizes both the plot and era with a contemporary vitality that today's hip-hop and pop-culture fans will appreciate. In this quickly paced and laugh-out-loud narrative, Myers brings Mark face-to-face with a dazzling host of Harlem Renaissance A-listers, including Marian Anderson, Langston Hughes, and Countee Cullen. Their swift, red-carpetlike entrances and exits ignite the hot New York City summer setting with the electricity of creativity and reform. As the story progresses, Mark's awareness of his surroundings and contributions to the cause grow stronger and stronger, and no doubt that's exactly what Myers hopes his readers will realize for themselves as Mark's story unfolds.Hillias J. Martin, New York Public Library Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.It's the summer of 1925, and it is "hotter than a two-dollar pistol" in Harlem. It's particularly uncomfortable for 16-year-old Mark Purvis when the boat that he has been hired to unload turns out to contain bootleg whiskey. Before you can say Prohibition, the booze vanishes, and Mark finds himself in serious trouble with its owner, mobster Dutch Schultz. In the meantime, Mark finds a job working for W. E. B. DuBois' magazine, the Crisis. There he meets leading figures of the Harlem Renaissance--writers such as Countee Cullen and Langston Hughes, who, he is told, are exemplars of the "New Negro." Mark doesn't care if he's a New Negro or an old one as long as he can make music like his friend Fats Waller--but the rapidly changing world of the Roaring Twenties keeps getting in his way. Myers has a wonderful time poking affectionately satirical fun at the legends and legendary figures of a revolutionary decade that Zelig-like Mark keeps encountering. Readers will be delighted to accompany the teen on his action-packed adventures. Michael CartCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Harlem Summer | [
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17,335 | 1 | Now, that's one red, ripe strawberry the big, hungry Bear will never get!; Title: The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear | [
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17,336 | 7 | Emily Rodda is the author of the hugely successful Deltora Quest series, with over two million copies in print. Winner of the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book of the Year (Younger Readers) Award a record five times, she seems to know instinctively what children want to read. She currently lives in Sydney, Australia.; Title: The Shadowlands (Deltora Shadowlands #3) | [
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17,337 | 2 | Liftable flaps and foil accents enliven the sturdy pages of Clifford's Christmas Present by Sonali Fry, illus. by John Kurtz. Ages 3-6.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Clifford's Christmas Presents | [
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17,338 | 1 | There's no denying that kids love Clifford. The Big Red Dog has been a favorite since Norman Bridwell created him over 40 years ago. "I was working as a commercial artist in New York City. There wasn't much work, so I made some sample pictures and took them to several publishers. They all rejected my work. But one editor suggested that I try writing a book of my own to illustrate. I had done a painting of a little girl with a big red dog. That seemed like a funny idea, so I made up a story about them. I increased the dog's size from as big as a horse to as big as a house. My wife named the dog Clifford, and we named the little girl Emily Elizabeth after our daughter. In three days I had written the story and drawn the pictures for Clifford The Big Red Dog. When Scholastic called and said they wanted the book, I was stunned." Bridwell, who grew up in Kokomo, Indiana, lives now on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, with his wife, Norma.For more information about Norman Bridwell, visit: scholastic.com/tradebooks; Title: Clifford's Scary Halloween (3-d Glasses) | [
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17,339 | 2 | Grade 5-7"In some ways, I'd grown up with five parents," the title character says, referring to her father and his "four big goofy" longtime friends, who have helped to raise her since her mother decamped and then died. In this engaging first-person narrative, 11-year-old Amalee relates the details of her life, from peer issues and teacher problems at school to her father's sudden illness. With him in bed and seriously sick, the four friends take turns caring for both father and daughter, and in the process each one of them realizes his or her potential. Although the end is weighted by a lengthy hypnosis scene in which therapist friend Joyce helps Amalee and her father express their deepest feelings, readers will be cheering for this likable protagonist.Susan Patron, Los Angeles Public Library Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 5-8. "In some ways, I'd grown up with five parents," says 11-year-old Amalee, who spends every Friday evening with her single dad and his four "big, goofy friends" from college. Amalee has struggled to navigate a middle-school social scene that is dominated by mean girls, and when her father contracts a life-threatening illness, she finds her insecurities ballooning out of control. It's her father's family of friends who hold everything together and help Amalee discover her own strength, forgive the imperfections in herself and her family, and form genuine friendships. Williams, best known as a singer and songwriter, writes a poignant, funny debut filled with wholly endearing characters. Amalee's appealing first-person voice sounds a bit too wise in places, but Williams writes about a preteen's emotional life with piercing honesty, particularly the paralyzing fear a parent's illness brings and the agony and guilt of mistakes. Readers will be charmed by Williams' eccentric, lovable characters and her sharp observations about the world of both middle-schoolers and adults. Gillian EngbergCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Amalee | [
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17,340 | 15 | The creator of Dem Bones digs up another set of rattling fine specimens for this splashy expedition into the world of fossils. A simple poem ("Dinosaurs are gone for good. / Maybe dinosaurs once lived in your neighborhood!") serves as an umbrella framework for a lesson on prehistoric favorites. Each turn of the page pairs a single stanza in hand-lettered type ("Dinosaurs had teeth to bite and jaws to chew") with an accompanying illustration, while a bite-size piece of additional information in smaller type helps extend the book's appeal to older readers ("The shape of the jaws and teeth help scientists find out if a dinosaur was a meat or plant eater"). The snappy, vigorous rhymes ("They had bones with disks and bones with points, / bones for running with sockets and joints") propel the production forward, while the artwork, a jazzy blend of pen-and-ink, watercolor, cut and torn paper and computer graphics, creates a tantalizing blend of streamlined shapes and saturated colors. Barner shows each spotlighted dinosaur in both skeletal and living form, and two concluding spreads offer more information in a height chart and "dinometer" chart, fleshing out such questions as "What did it eat?" and "What does its footprint look like?" A splendid introduction to a perennially popular subject.; Title: Dinosaur bones | [
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17,341 | 2 | Artist, gift seller, and art therapist Sandra Magsamen continues her artsy, all-out love fest (The Story of the Heart, Daughters Make Every Day a Gift) with a book just for girls.As in When There Are No Words and Magsamen's other books, When I Grow Up I Want to Be Me is long on both positive thinking and production values. The simple text is accompanied by all manner of gift-book bells and whistles: "When I grow up I'll follow my dreams" flies beside a shiny foil heart-shaped kite; "believe in magic" faces a pop-up top-hatted rabbit; "and reach for the stars" has a pull-out page of star stickers. The 22-page book also includes holographic fireflies, lift-up flaps, a handstanding girl on a spinner, and a top-and-bottom career chooser (you can mix and match the legs and torsos of a female astronaut, dancer, firefighter, artist, and doctor).Depending on when they received their last irony inoculation, young girls may find their cynical worldview either cured or exacerbated by this book. But it's hard to fault a message that's so tirelessly cheerful, and many girls will love--and could stand to hear--Magsamen's star-spangled, heart-bedecked, pigtailed paean to self-love. (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes; Title: When I Grow Up I Want To Be Me | [
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17,342 | 2 | PreS–Fans of Tafuri's Have You Seen My Duckling? (HarperCollins, 1984) will welcome this companion story. As the light begins to fade over the pond, Mama Duck announces to her eight ducklings that it is time for bed. She and seven of her charges start toward home but one straggler is distracted by the other animals that bid him good night. He soon discovers that he is the only duckling left on the pond. A turtle who has been watching the scene unfold comes to his rescue and safely carries him home. Sharp-eyed youngsters will spot the turtle on each page and will be reassured to see that Mama Duck is never entirely out of sight. The finely detailed, realistic illustrations are rich in color and depth; the spread showing the diminutive duck seemingly all alone on the very large pond is particularly effective. Perfect for evening storytimes and one-on-one readings before bedtime for the youngest listeners.–Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PreS. Early one evening, Mama Duck leads her drowsy youngsters home from the pond, but one duckling dawdles--the same plucky, adventurous little duck from Tafuri's Caldecott Honor Book Have You Seen My Duckling? (1984). Two wading birds, a beaver, and a frog say "goodnight" to the duckling, but it's the turtle that inquires if the duckling is lost and gives it a ride home. Tafuri's 46-word text and feathery-textured, full-bleed watercolor spreads create a wonderfully reassuring and cozy whole. Page compositions and the subtle use of proportion add to the book's visual success. None of the pond's inhabitants are labeled, and two different birds are not readily identifiable. Adults may care, but kids probably won't; they will fall for this tender, charming tale, a perfectly ducky bedtime story. Julie CumminsCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Goodnight, My Duckling | [
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17,343 | 6 | Inspired by the artistic imaginings of children, Walter Wick has made a career of setting up and photographing elaborate miniature sets crammed with gazillions of gewgaws--yo-yos, buttons, plastic sheep, hot dog buns, playing cards, spoons, funnels, domino tiles, teapot spouts--in the I Spy series (with Jean Marzollo) and his bestselling Can You See What I See? Picture Puzzles to Search and Solve. Dream Machine continues this tradition with a space-age twist. The first two-page spread, "Bedtime," is a grownup-eyed view of a childs darkened bedroom, with the accompanying text: "Can you see/ what I see?/ Five cards, a bike,/ three soccer balls,/ a spotted owl,/ striped overalls,/ an elephant,/ a dog asleep,/ a dinosaur tail,/ seven white sheep,/ a yo-yo, a boat,/ a can, a jar,/ a lightning bolt/ on a little red car!" In subsequent spreads the camera lens zooms in to focus on the tiny worlds within worlds under the child's chair. Clutter gives way to order as the reader is asked to join Wick in his nighttime dreamscape. The possibilities are endless for sharp-eyed children who choose to go beyond the "search and solve" puzzles. Hours of fun await! (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie CoulterGrade 1-5-Wick has done it again with this multilayered puzzle fantasy. The small red, yellow, and blue bead figure that was spotted in the first Can You See What I See? (Scholastic, 2002) is back in a sporty red roadster with a lightning bolt blazed on the hood. Each of the 12 riddle/photo combinations moves further into the scene that begins and ends in a toy-strewn bedroom and explores the nooks and crannies of the cities and worlds set up for make-believe. The bead-person and his car are seen zooming through the cardboard streets, past "a girl with a bow,/a hand in a pocket,/a spoon on a plate,/a man in a rocket," and many other fantastic and everyday items, as readers are drawn into the dream and find the objects named in the text. As in his previous books, Wick uses homonyms and visual tricks, giving children more to see and look for than what may appear at first glance. Careful observers, startled out of the dream world at the end by a robot alarm clock, would do well to heed the advice of the beaded-letter bracelet in a bowl that urges them to "SEYMOUR." A wonderful addition to any collection.Genevieve Gallagher, Orange County Public Library, VACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Can You See What I See? Dream Machine: Picture Puzzles to Search and Solve | [
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17,344 | 2 | Grade 6 Up - It's 2025, and the thing to do on your 17th birthday is to get a bar code tattoo, which is used for everything from driver's licenses to shopping. Kayla, almost 17, resists because she hates the idea of being labeled. Then the tattoos begin to drive people to commit suicide, Kayla's father among them, and she soon finds out that the markings contain detailed information about their bearers, including their genetic code. When the government, controlled by a corporation called Global-1, makes the tattoo mandatory, Kayla joins a teen resistance movement and falls for a gorgeous guy, unaware that he's a double agent. She discovers she has some psychic ability and has confusing visions of future events. Forced to run away after being implicated in her mother's accidental death, she eventually joins other resisters hiding in the Adirondack Mountains, finds romance with an old friend, and learns to harness her psychic powers to fight Global-1 and fulfill her visions. Like M. T. Anderson's Feed (Candlewick, 2002), this novel examines issues of individuality versus conformity and individual freedom versus governmental control. Because it also deals with the ethics of enhanced genetics and cloning, it tries to cover too much territory and relies too heavily on coincidence and far-fetched plotting. Stick with Feed. - Sharon Rawlins, Piscataway Public Library, NJ Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.; Title: The Bar Code Tattoo | [
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17,345 | 0 | There's no denying that kids love Clifford. The Big Red Dog has been a favorite since Norman Bridwell created him over 40 years ago. "I was working as a commercial artist in New York City. There wasn't much work, so I made some sample pictures and took them to several publishers. They all rejected my work. But one editor suggested that I try writing a book of my own to illustrate. I had done a painting of a little girl with a big red dog. That seemed like a funny idea, so I made up a story about them. I increased the dog's size from as big as a horse to as big as a house. My wife named the dog Clifford, and we named the little girl Emily Elizabeth after our daughter. In three days I had written the story and drawn the pictures for Clifford The Big Red Dog. When Scholastic called and said they wanted the book, I was stunned." Bridwell, who grew up in Kokomo, Indiana, lives now on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, with his wife, Norma.For more information about Norman Bridwell, visit: scholastic.com/tradebooks; Title: Clifford's Phonics Fun Box Set #2 | [
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17,346 | 16 | My First Jumbo Book of Numbers by James Diaz and Melanie Gerth pulls out all the stops when it comes to teaching numbers one to 10. For the number one ("building"), die-cut windows show the residents; a lift of the flap reveals an elevator that slides up and down; and a tab pulls a car out of a garage. Ages 2-5.Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: My First Jumbo Book Of Numbers | [
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17,347 | 0 | Dav Pilkey hits the halfway mark in this cheerfully ridiculous, easy-reader series that spans the solar system, as Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot takes on the Jurassic Jackrabbits from Jupiter.Little Ricky (a smart young mouse, for those of you just joining us) is having a birthday, and that's cause for some serious robotic celebration. The family--along with cousin Lucy ("a little PEST!")--piles on top of the Mighty Robot for a trip to see dino skeletons at the local museum. Unfortunately, General Jackrabbit, evil ruler of Jupiter's "billions of carrot-loving jackrabbits" (the carrots make the planet orange, you see), has other plans for our heroes. He's hoping to take over Earth, but he knows that first he's got to take down Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot. And how better to accomplish that than using the museum's dino skeletons, some of the General's own DNA, and a Meany Machiney to create three big, mean Jurassic Jackrabbits?There's no doubt that Pilkey can be much funnier when he has more words to work with--witness any of the Captain Underpants books (and Ricky Ricotta is no George or Harold)--but this series at least gives younger readers something fun to do while working on their reading chops. And, of course, you don't have to read a single word to thoroughly enjoy Flip-o-Rama, Pilkey's "world-famous cheesy animation technique," which lets readers flip pages back and forth to animate the action. (Also includes step-by-step drawing tips from equally fun-loving illustrator Martin Ontiveros.) (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes; Title: Ricky Ricotta's Mighty Robot vs. the Jurassic Jack Rabbits from Jupiter | [
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17,348 | 12 | Grade 5-8-A great resource for anyone wanting an overview of what a verb does in a sentence. The book covers the kinds of verbs and discusses tenses, predicate, and linking versus action verbs. It also lists 100 of the most commonly used irregular verbs with a chart listing the tenses. A few blue, black, and white decorative cartoons appear throughout. This book would be helpful for students who need further clarification with their grammar, and will be a useful companion to any grammar textbook. A copy in reference might also be worthwhile.Kathleen Swanger, Macomb Intermediate School District, Clinton Township, MICopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.; Title: Verbs! Verbs! Verbs! (Scholastic Guides) | [
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17,349 | 2 | PreSchool-K-This simple text, accompanied by Tafuri's delicate watercolor inks and colored-pencil drawings, features six baby animals in a variety of habitats asking their parents the same question: "How am I special?" The adults describe the youngsters' unique qualities and assure them of their love. The lions, prairie dogs, penguins, beavers, meadowlarks, foxes, and humans are drawn first in their natural surroundings and shown on the next spread in close-up. Each family consists of two parents and one child. This book is a tender read-aloud, with a nice rhythm to the repeated phrase, "-we will love you forever and ever and always." The illustrations include other creatures to look for in the background. A list of all the animals is included on the copyright page. (However, king penguins and arctic terns do not share the same habitat.) This is a peaceful and beautifully drawn bedtime story, but it may well cause parents to drop off, too.Jane Barrer, Washington Square Village Creative Steps, NYCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.PreS-Gr. 1. Caldecott Honor artist Tafuri zeroes in on a desire all young ones share: to feel special. She begins, "On a hot savannah / under a shady tree, / a lion cub asks, 'How am I special?'" The cub's parents reply in unison that it's his golden coat and resounding purr that distinguish him, and they reassure him in the book's refrain: "you are so special, / and we will love you / forever and ever and always." The same scenario repeats with other animals, including a prairie dog pup (keen eyes, powerful legs); a lark youngling (yellow feathers, cheerful song), and finally, a young child (warm heart, curious mind). Tafuri's colored-pencil-and-watercolor art fills the oversize pages, depicting tranquil panoramas of various animal habitats as well as plenty of cozy close-ups of parents and children snuggling. Young children will be comforted by the text's rhythmic reassurances. Karin SnelsonCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: You Are Special, Little One | [
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17,350 | 1 | Grade 4-8-In this second book in the series, Soren and his band of owls have escaped the St. Aegolius Academy for Orphaned Owls and go in search of the mythical Great Ga'Hoole Tree. When they finally arrive at the tree, they find themselves in a Hogwarts-like school where owls are divided into "chaws," or small teams, that focus on particular skills such as navigation or search and rescue. By the end of the book, Soren has learned the fate of his lost sister, discovered that he has some unique powers, and has lost his new mentor, leaving things wide open for the next installment. The story flows nicely and has a certain appeal that carries readers along, despite the sometimes-jarring addition of unnecessary owl poetry. Lasky's fully realized world is full of traditions based on the actual habits of owls, but this is still a world in which owls can read and write. Fantasy readers will enjoy the adventure, but the book will appeal mainly to fans of the first volume in the series.Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZCopyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.; Title: The Journey (Guardians of Ga'hoole, Book 2) | [
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17,351 | 2 | Published in 20 countries, sold over 1 million copies, and the subject of a feature film, THE STORY OF A SEAGULL AND THE CAT WHO TAUGHT HER TO FLY has finally come to the U.S.!It's migration time and as a mother gull dives into the water to catch a herring she's caught in an oil slick! Thinking of the egg she is about to lay she manages to extract herself and fly to the nearest port. Exhausted, she lands on a balcony where Zorba the cat is sunning himself. Zorba wants to get help, but the gull knows it's too late and she extracts three promises from him: 1) That he won't eat the egg, 2) that he'll take care of the chick until it hatches, and 3) that he'll teach it to fly. Well the first two are hard enough, but the third one is surely impossible. Isn't it?; Title: The Story of a Seagull and the Cat Who Taught Her to Fly | [
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17,352 | 2 | Kindergarten-Grade 3-This lovely picture book draws inspiration from the childhood classic and is quite effective in its presentation. On a hot, sunny day, Sophie is reading in the grass when she sees "-something glimmering in the trees. What could it be?" A robin drops a key into her hands, which unlocks a door to a lush garden, and much more. A treasure hunt begins with more clues, delivered by forest animals, and revealed through small die-cut holes in the pages. Sophie finds a hat, a doll, and a jump rope, and with each new acquisition remarks, "Somebody will be looking for this!" In the end, the treasure is a new friend. The vibrant, rich colors of the flowers against the soft pastel watercolors of the sky, grass, and trees bring to life what Frances Hodgson Burnett's words inspire in one's imagination. The combination of breathtaking impressionistic illustrations that call to mind a Monet painting with clues delivered in a clever way reminiscent of Eric Carle's Secret Birthday Message (HarperCollins, 1972) results in a masterful homage to Burnett's original tale.Wanda Meyers-Hines, Ridgecrest Elementary School, Huntsville, ALCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: A Secret In The Garden | [
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17,353 | 2 | PreSchool-Grade 2Miss Spider is back in another charming story. Like many expectant mothers, she worries about being a good parent. " 'I'm not prepared,' Miss Spider sighed, and tied a silken string./ 'My babies are about to hatch, but I don't know a thing!'" Her worst fears come to life when her youngest bundle of joy, Squirt, finds a lost, brightly decorated (chicken) egg and sets out to find its mother. Along the way, he encounters many dangers, including an unexpected snowstorm and a hungry snake, but he makes a few friends, too. Miss Spider and her husband Holley catch up with Squirt and his friends just as they are nearing the hen coop and rescue him. About to return home with his mom and dad, Squirt realizes that something is not right, and hurriedly asks his new friends to join his family. The text is written in a light, singsong rhythm. There is plenty of fun wordplay that lightens the mood of Squirt's perilous journey. Kirk's highly stylized digital art, featuring eye-popping colors and 3-D characters, leaps off each page. Suited to reading aloud and sure to please.Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.The uncommonly unique imagination of David Kirk has an equally uncommon source. "I found a small copy of The Gnomes' Almanac by a little-known Viennese author Ida Bohtta Morpugo. It was a cutout book simply subtitled: A Book for Children. In it, the pictures and verse about bugs, butterflies, and mice really came to life." That got him drawing and writing. Before that he made children's toys by hand. "I love making stories. The bookmaking process is a liberation for me from the years I toiled to produce handmade items. I think the life of a children's book author is bliss." Kirk lives in upstate New York, with his wife and three daughters.For more information about David Kirk, visit: scholastic.com/tradebooks; Title: Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Kids | [
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17,354 | 1 | PreSchool-Grade 2-The creators of The Gingerbread Man (1998) and Aunt Pitty Patty's Piggy (1999, both Scholastic) have produced another excellent rendition of a favorite folktale. Like their earlier titles, Goldilocks has a 19th-century look and feel throughout, yet keeps the tale accessible to today's children. Aylesworth's text is faithful to the traditional elements of the original, juicing up the plot with folksy, conversational asides. Goldilocks, not the bear family, is the focus of this retelling, and both author and illustrator imbue her with plenty of spunky charm. Children will identify readily with this protagonist, who is not so much willfully naughty as she is "very, very good, except that sometimes she forgot to do things that her mother told her to do. Yes she did." Indeed, the old-fashioned language, combined with McClintock's flouncy, hair-ribboned envisioning of the girl, evokes another intrepid literary adventurer: Alice in Wonderland. The artist's watercolor, sepia ink, and gouache illustrations are pastel and dainty yet full of life and action, thanks to the hilariously exaggerated expressions the child makes while testing porridge, chairs, and beds. This is a handsomely designed book, with heavy ivory pages, delicate frame borders, and an Edwardian typeface that changes in size to serve the story. A recipe for "Mama Bear's Porridge Cookies" will help children make the porridge-is-oatmeal connection. At once antique and immediate, this Goldilocks will sassily invite herself onto library shelves everywhere.Eve Ortega, Cypress Library, CACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.Reviewed with Diane Stanley's Goldie and the Three Bears.PreS-Gr. 1. Is there room for two more versions of Goldilocks? Yes, if it's space for these two. Although as different from each other as peas and pies, both are delightful and will attract their own audience, with some children preferring the traditional story and others gravitating to the fresh and funny version. Although Aylesworth follows the standard telling, he adds decorative touches in the text. McClintock's art is also traditional. Executed in watercolor, sepia ink, and gouache, her pictures have a nodding acquaintance with Tenniel's artwork for Alice, but the Victorian sensibility is interrupted here and there with some humorous details, particularly the expressions on Goldilock's face. Stanley's Goldie is a modern-day kid. She has definite likes and dislikes about food, clothes, and even friends: Jenny is too boring; Alicia is too snobby. One day, Goldie gets off the school bus at the wrong stop and wanders into a strange house. Children may think they know the rest, but in the end, the little bear girl turns out to be just the friend Goldie has been looking for. Stanley's art, so sophisticated in her biographies, is delightfully childlike here, with lots of fun in every scene. Ilene CooperCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Goldilocks And The Three Bears | [
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17,355 | 2 | From Everest"What's the matter with you, kid? Why don't you look where you're going?" "Sorry." Dominic picked up the vial and scooted out of the way. Mom had continuous nightmares that climbing would kill at least one member of her family. I'll bet she wasn't expecting it to happen like this, he reflected, a little shaken. The SUV accelerated up the ramp, pausing at the top. The driver tossed a candy bar wrapper into the trash barrel and drove off. It was a Summit Energy Bar. Dominic recognized the logo from where he stood, rooted to the spot. He had climbed towering cliffs, yet walking up this gentle slope to get that piece of paper seemed much, much harder. He reached into the garbage and fished out the sticky wrapper. In a way, he almost knew what he would see before he turned it over. A V! It was a ticket to the top of the world.; Title: The Climb (Everest #2) | [
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17,356 | 0 | DEBBIE DADEY and MARCIA THORNTON JONES came up with the idea for The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids when they both worked at a school in Lexington, Kentucky. Today Debbie and her family live in Fort Collins, Colorado. Marcia and her husband still live in Kentucky.; Title: Aliens Don't Carve Jack o' Lanterns | [
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17,357 | 16 | There's no denying that kids love Clifford. The Big Red Dog has been a favorite since Norman Bridwell created him over 40 years ago. "I was working as a commercial artist in New York City. There wasn't much work, so I made some sample pictures and took them to several publishers. They all rejected my work. But one editor suggested that I try writing a book of my own to illustrate. I had done a painting of a little girl with a big red dog. That seemed like a funny idea, so I made up a story about them. I increased the dog's size from as big as a horse to as big as a house. My wife named the dog Clifford, and we named the little girl Emily Elizabeth after our daughter. In three days I had written the story and drawn the pictures for Clifford The Big Red Dog. When Scholastic called and said they wanted the book, I was stunned." Bridwell, who grew up in Kokomo, Indiana, lives now on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, with his wife, Norma.For more information about Norman Bridwell, visit: scholastic.com/tradebooks; Title: Clifford's Phonics Fun, Pack 4 (12 Book Set) | [
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17,358 | 0 | Debbie Dadey is the bestselling co-author of THE ADVENTURES OF THE BAILEY SCHOOL KIDS series, along with writing partner Marcia Thornton Jones. Debbie has also written many books of her own, including the SWAMP MONSTER IN THIRD GRADE series and THE WORST NAME IN THIRD GRADE. She lives and writes in Fort Collins, Colorado, with her family.Marcia Thornton Jones is co-author of the bestselling THE ADVENTURES OF THE BAILEY SCHOOL KIDS series, along with single titles like CHAMP. She has been writing for Scholastic for almost twenty years! Marcia lives and writes in Lexington, Kentucky, with her husband and their two cats.; Title: Ogres Don't Hunt Easter Eggs (The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids, Holiday Special) | [
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17,359 | 7 | Talented, much-loved author Kathryn Lasky brings a fantastic owl world to life.Kathryn Lasky is the Newbery Honor-winning author of over one hundred books for children and young adults. Her beloved Guardians of Ga’Hoole fantasy series has sold more than 4 million copies, and she is the author of the Daughters of the Sea series, the Wolves of the Beyond series, as well as A TIME FOR COURAGE and other Dear America titles. Kathryn has also written a number of critically acclaimed nonfiction titles, such as BEYOND THE BURNING TIME and TRUE NORTH. She lives with her husband in Cambridge, MA.; Title: The Siege (Guardians of Ga'hoole, Book 4) | [
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17,360 | 1 | Grade 4-8-At the beginning of this new series, a young Barn Owl named Soren lives peacefully with his family, participating in rituals like the First Meat ceremony, and enjoying legends about the Guardians of Ga'Hoole, knightly owls "who would rise each night into the blackness and perform noble deeds." After he falls from his nest, his idyllic world transforms into one of confusion and danger, as he is captured by evil chick-snatching owls and taken to the St. Aegolius Academy for Orphaned Owls. Soren and his new friend Gylfie work to develop strategies for withstanding "moon blinking" (brainwashing), while secretly striving to learn how to fly. The legends of Ga'Hoole help them to survive, and they are able to escape to find their families and warn the world about the dangers of St. Aegolius. While the owls have human characteristics, such as Soren's determination and Gylfie's creative ideas, their actions and culture reflect Lasky's research into owl behaviors and species. The story's fast pace, menacing bad guys, and flashes of humor make this a good choice for reluctant readers, while the underlying message about the power of legends provides a unifying element and gives strong appeal for fantasy fans.Beth L. Meister, Yeshiva of Central Queens, Flushing, NYCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.Gr. 5-8. Soren, a barn owl still weeks away from fledging, is knocked from his otherwise loving family's nest by his nasty older brother. He is swooped up from the forest floor by a pair of nefarious owls who hold him--along with many other owlets of diverse species--captive in a kind of owl social reformatory. Lasky portrays an owl world that has more in common with George Orwell than with Brian Jacques, offering readers big questions about human social psychology and politics along with real owl science. Broad themes related to the nature of personal choice, the need for fellowship based on love and trust, and sharing knowledge with one's peers are presented compellingly and with swift grafting to the animal adventure story. Developmentally linked celebrations (such as "First Fur" and "First Meat"), methods devised for brain-washing (including the regimental marching of sleepy owls by moonlight), and the diverse landscapes in which owls makes their homes come to life here as Soren rebels against his captors, makes a friend, and executes the first stage of his planned liberation and family reconciliation. Readers will look forward to upcoming installments. Francisca GoldsmithCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: The Capture (Guardians of Ga'hoole, Book 1) | [
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17,361 | 2 | Imagine a Dickens story with a Venetian setting, and you'll have a good sense of Cornelia Funke's prizewinning novel The Thief Lord, first published in Germany in 2000. This suspenseful tale begins in a detective's office in Venice, as the entirely unpleasant Hartliebs request Victor Getz's services to search for two boys, Prosper and Bo, the sons of Esther Hartlieb's recently deceased sister. Twelve-year-old Prosper and 5-year-old Bo ran away when their aunt decided she wanted to adopt Bo, but not his brother. Refusing to split up, they escaped to Venice, a city their mother had always described reverently, in great detail. Right away they hook up with a long-haired runaway named Hornet and various other ruffians who hole up in an abandoned movie theater and worship the elusive Thief Lord, a young boy named Scipio who steals jewels from fancy Venetian homes so his new friends can get the warm clothes they need. Of course, the plot thickens when the owner of the pawn shop asks if the Thief Lord will carry out a special mission for a wealthy client: to steal a broken wooden wing that is the key to completing an age-old, magical merry-go-round. This winning cast of characters--especially the softhearted detective with his two pet turtles--will win the hearts of readers young and old, and the adventures are as labyrinthine and magical as the streets of Venice itself. (Ages 9 and older) --Karin SnelsonWacky characters bring energy to this translation of an entertaining German novel about thieving children, a disguise-obsessed detective and a magical merry-go-round. After their mother dies, 12-year-old Prosper and his brother, Bo, five, flee from Hamburg to Venice (an awful aunt plans to adopt only Bo). They live in an abandoned movie theater with several other street children under the care of the Thief Lord, a cocky youth who claims to rob "the city's most elegant houses." A mysterious man hires the Thief Lord to steal a wooden wing, which the kids later learn has broken off a long-lost merry-go-round said to make "adults out of children and children out of adults," but the plan alters when Victor, the detective Aunt Esther hired to track the brothers, discovers their camp and reveals that the Thief Lord is actually from a wealthy family. There are a lot of story lines to follow, and the pacing is sometimes off (readers may feel that Funke spends too little time on what happens when the children find the carousel, and too much on the ruse they pull on Prosper's aunt). But between kindhearted Victor and his collection of fake beards, the Thief Lord in his mask and high-heeled boots, and a rascally street kid who loves to steal, Prosper's new world abounds with colorful characters. The Venetian setting is ripe for mystery and the city's alleys and canals ratchet up the suspense in the chase scenes. Ages 9-12. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.; Title: The Thief Lord (BOOK SENSE BOOK OF THE YEAR CHILDREN'S LITERATURE (AWARDS)) | [
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17,362 | 0 | DEBBIE DADEY and MARCIA THORNTON JONES came up with the idea for The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids when they both worked at a school in Lexington, Kentucky. Today Debbie and her family live in Fort Collins, Colorado. Marcia and her husband still live in Kentucky.; Title: Bsk Holiday Special: Leprachauns Don't Play Fetch (The Bailey School Kids) | [
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17,363 | 1 | Kathryn Lasky is the Newbery Honor-winning author of over 100 books for children and young adults. Her beloved Guardians of Ga'Hoole fantasy series has more than seven million copies in print, and she is the author of the Daughters of the Sea series and the Wolves of the Beyond series, as well as A Time for Courage and other Dear America titles. Kathryn has also written a number of critically acclaimed historical fiction titles, such as Beyond the Burning Time and True North. She lives with her husband in Cambridge, Massachusetts.; Title: The Burning (Guardians Of Ga'hoole #6) | [
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17,364 | 14 | PreSchool-KThis cumulative tale, fashioned after "The House That Jack Built," takes place on Christmas Eve ("This is the snow/that fell on the house/where the children slept"). The story line is predictable, until the halfway point, when Saint Nick delivers his presents to a sleeping family. The artwork then draws attention to an eye peeking out of a package. A turn of the page reveals that it belongs to the Rat King from the Nutcracker,who leads his pack and kidnaps the Christmas doll in the stocking next to them. A Nutcracker and other toys come to the rescue, so that all is back to normal by Christmas morning. This is a clever way to introduce some classic stories, and the narrative has enough action to hold children's attention. The warm, fuzzy '50s cartoon watercolors complement the text. Use this titlefor preschool storytime or as a lap-time read-aloud.M. W. Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.; Title: Christmas Morning | [
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17,365 | 2 | "Gordon Korman is a force of nature." (Quill and Quire); Title: Everest, Book 3: The Summit | [
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17,366 | 7 | Grade 5-7-Enraged by his defeat in The Witch Trade (Scholastic, 2001), evil Night Witch Wolfbane concocts an elaborate revenge in this less trite, more tongue-in-cheek sequel. Though the first episode's cast, led by intrepid witch-in-training Abby and stylish thespian Sir Chadwick Street, Grand Master of the Light Witches, is already bursting at the seams, Molloy adds yet more magical creatures, notably a donkeylike pooka with a wide brogue; a displaced band of mischievous woodland elves capable of tickling Night Witches to death; and a clan of powerful, bureaucratic Wizards with a mysterious agenda. Enlisting the aid of his loathsome mother and Baal, a jumbo spider, Wolfbane kidnaps Sir Chadwick's fiancee, Hilda, then travels back in time to change the future by killing an ancestor of Abby's. Abby and her many friends pursue, of course, plunging into a whirl of subplots, reverses, confrontations, narrow squeaks, and magic dusts of diverse properties. In the end, Hilda and Sir Chadwick are reunited, Abby's forbear is saved, Wolfbane is lost in the gulfs of time (until the next episode, no doubt), and Baal meets a deliciously squishy fate under the wheels of a train. Readers fond of sometimes-gruesome, sometimes-grand set pieces, and stout-hearted heroes of both sexes facing scenery-chewing baddies with names like Snivel Cheeseman, can look forward to a grand romp.John Peters, New York Public LibraryCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.Gr. 5-8. In this sequel to The Witch Trade (2001), set in the idyllic little English seaside village of Speller, readers re-encounter young Abby Clover, a Light Witch, who bravely helped defeat the evil Wolfbane of Darkwood Forest. Unfortunately, Wolfbane is on the prowl again, and along with his deliciously evil mother and assorted villainous cohorts, he has concocted a plan to travel back in time to destroy the order of Light Witches before they have a chance to exist and wield power. Little do they expect Abby and her companions, led by Grand Master Chadwick Street, to travel back in time for a showdown. The evil characters are more strongly portrayed than the good Light Witches, who tend to be rather prim, but fantasy fans will enjoy the classic good-and-evil romp, including those who haven't read the first volume. Anne O'MalleyCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: The Time Witches | [] | Train |
17,367 | 0 | "Faster than a speeding waistband... more powerful than boxer shorts..." It's Captain Underpants! Young readers will devour this fancy new boxed set of the first five paperbacks in the side-splitting, potty-humored (literally) Captain Underpants series. These books are award-winning--but really, who cares about awards when you're reading about talking toilets and the perilous plot of Professor Poopypants? The "epic" collection includes The Adventures of Captain Underpants, Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets, Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space, Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants, and Captain Underpants and the Wrath of the Wicked Wedgie Woman. (Ages 5 to 12)"Pilkey's sharp humor shines, and is as much fun for parents as their young readers." -PARENTS' CHOICE FOUNDATION"Combines empowerment and empathy with age-appropriate humor and action" -BOOKLIST"Celebrates the triumph of the good-hearted."-THE EDUCATIONAL BOOK AND MEDIA ASSOCIATION"(One of the) 5 Books That All Children Should Read" -HEALTHY FAMILY MATTERS"They'll (parents) appreciate children laughing as they dive in and page through this old-fashioned thing called a book." -THE NEW YORK TIMES"For every downtrodden fun-seeking kid who never wanted to read a book."-SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL; Title: The New Captain Underpants Collection (Books 1-5) | [
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17,368 | 2 | Declining, as she always does, both her best (and only) friend's invitation to Maine and her grandparents' offer of summer camp, Hattie plans to spend the summer of her twelfth birthday in her hometown. She likes to wander the town's few streets, visiting the library and her grandparents and her favorite stores, but always staying close to home, which is in her case a boardinghouse run by her parents. But Hattie's desired ordinary summer is upset when not one but two strangers come to town. First to arrive is her hitherto unrevealed twenty-one-year-old uncle Adam, who suffers from an unspecified mental illness that makes his conversations an enthusiastic milange of sense, nonsense, and word-perfect dialogue from the I Love Lucy show (the book is set in 1960). Hattie is convinced that no one understands him as well as she does: "I feel a little like Adam's baby-sitter, a little like his mother, not at all like his niece, and quite a bit like his friend." The author balances this friendship with another that Hattie, surprising her shy self, begins with a girl traveling with an itinerant carnival-Leila's father runs the Ferris wheel and her mother is the "Pretzel Woman" in the sideshow. Martin excels at evoking simply the intricacies of friendship, what it enables you to give to others, and what it teaches you about yourself. She also understands its perils. Trying to offer Adam the freedom and happiness she believes is wrongly denied him by his parents, Hattie relates to him as she would a fellow child-a mistake whose gravity becomes apparent in the book's terrifying climax. Told in the present tense in Hattie's personable voice, the story takes on serious concerns but has equally strong standing as the kind of novel kids mean when they ask for "a book about friends."--Horn Book Magazine, January, 2003--starred reviewIt is 1960, Hattie Owen is about to turn 12, and her world is about to be turned upside down. She loves her small town and the boarding house her parents run (enabling her father to pursue his art), in part because of the security and familiarity her surroundings represent. The boarders seem to be as much a part of the family as her grandparents, who live in a mansion and literally look down their noses at the Owens. But Hattie's perceptions of life in general--and her life in particular--change when 21-year-old Uncle Adam returns to town after his residential school closes. Adam seems to be manic-depressive, and he's a savant when it comes to dates. He's news to Hattie, but he mostly delights her, and she feels she can help him. His problems, however, are more than anyone--including Adam--can handle. The book's message--that people like Adam help "lift the corners of the universe" --is passionately offered, though perhaps too oft repeated. It is Martin's characters that shine, especially Hattie, who is trying to feel her way through family secrets, and Adam, whose valiant efforts to forge a life for himself are as uplifting as his failures are heartrending. The supporting characters are strong pillars that hold up the rest of the story, and their subtle depictions provide a depth that makes it much more than a "problem novel." This is a fully realized roller coaster of emotions, and readers take the ride right along with Hattie.--Booklist, December 2002--starred reviewMartin (Belle Teal; the Baby-Sitters Club series) hints at a life-changing event from the first paragraph of this novel narrated by a perceptive and compassionate 12-year-old, and set in the summer of 1960. Hattie Owen had been anticipating a summer as comfortably uneventful as all the others ("I just want things all safe and familiar," she admits), helping her mother run their boarding house, painting alongside her artist father and reading "piles" of books. Then Uncle Adam (whom Hattie never knew existed) makes a surprise entrance, turning everything upside-down. Hattie's mother says that Uncle Adam has "mental problems." Hattie's grandparents act embarrassed whenever he is around, and her peers laugh at him. The author authentically conveys the ripples Adam sends through this small town. The heroine is continually amazed by his outlandish antics, moved by his sudden mood changes and secretly wonders if she and Adam might be kindred spirits. Hattie finds adventure and tragedy as well as enlightenment as she "lifts the corners of [her] universe" in order to better understand Adam. With characteristic tenderness and wisdom, the author portrays the complex relationship between the sympathetic heroine and her uncle ("I feel a little like his baby-sitter, a little like his mother, not at all like his niece, and quite a bit like his friend"). Readers will relate to Hattie's fear of being as "different" as Adam, and will admire her willingness to befriend an outcast. Hearts will go out to both Hattie and Adam as they step outside the confines of their familiar world to meet some painful challenges.--Publishers Weekly, July 22, 2002--starred review Watching home movies, Hattie looks back over the summer of 1960 and the events that changed her perception of life. The 12-year-old has difficulty making friends her own age, but enjoys the company of an elderly boarder, the friendly cook, and her artist father. Her relationship with her mother is sometimes difficult because they must always negotiate clothing and behavior to suit her wealthy, overbearing maternal grandmother. Suddenly, an uncle whom Hattie has never heard of comes to live with her grandparents because his school has closed. Although she is totally shocked at the existence of this rapidly babbling, Lucille Ball-quoting, calendar-savant child in a man's body, Hattie comes to appreciate his affection for her, his exuberance for life, and his courage in facing society's rejection. When she suggests that he sneak out to join her for a night of fun at a carnival, tragedy ensues. Hattie's narration is clear and appealing. Her recollection of the smallest of behaviors shows that each family member has felt both love and pain for her uncle, but could not express it. As she comes to understand what Uncle Adam meant when he spoke of being able to lift the corners of our universe, she is hopeful that her family can learn to heal and communicate. Martin delivers wonderfully real characters and an engrossing plot through the viewpoint of a girl who tries so earnestly to connect with those around her. This is an important story, as evocative on the subject of mental illness as Ruth White's Memories of Summer (Farrar, 2000).--School Library Journal, September 2002--starred reviewIn July of 1960, just as she is turning 12, Hattie Owen's quiet, solitary summer-occupied with books, the various residents of her parents' boarding house, small errands about town, and avoiding her grandmother-is disrupted, bringing a loss of a kind of innocence and a look at the wide borders of the world. Hattie's autistic, emotionally challenged young uncle returns home to live with his parents after the institutional school in which he has lived half his life-and all of Hattie's-closes permanently. Hattie's well-to-do and severe grandparents are clearly burdened by their difficult child, but Hattie is intrigued, and charmed, by Adam's rapid-fire way of talking, his free-associating, and his liberal use of dialogue from "I Love Lucy." Adam's quirky, childlike enthusiasm and his obvious delight with her endear him to Hattie immediately, as does his vulnerability to Nana's strictures on behavior. When a carnival comes to town Hattie befriends Leila, a girl who travels in the carnival with her family, and it is Adam and Leila who together give Hattie her first birthday celebration among friends. Adam's crush on one of the boarders at the Owens' rooming house is the catalyst for the tragic ending, though Adam's fundamental inability to protect his feelings in the world destroys him. His suicide and its aftermath-his siblings' grief, his mother's sudden remorse, Hattie's courage to speak at his funeral-are nearly unsurprising, but moving nevertheless. In the end Hattie has had a glimpse into, as she says, "how quickly our world can swing between what is comfortable and familiar and what is unexpected and horrifying," and she has opted for herself to live in such a world, to keep lifting the corners of the universe. Martin's voice for Hattie is likable, clear, and consistent; her prose doesn't falter. A solid, affecting read.--Kirkus Reviews, October 1st 2002, starred reviewFourteen-year-old Hattie enjoys spending the summer helping her parents run their small-town rooming house. Sophisticated Miss Angel Valentine, old Miss Haggerty, and clock-obsessed Mr. Penny all seem interesting to Hattie. The summer of 1960, however, is to be more interesting than Hattie could imagine. To start with, Fred Carmel's Funtime Circus is coming to town, and with it comes Leila, a girl Hattie's age. Next, Uncle Adam comes back home. Hattie did not even know that Adam existed until now. Adam has been away in a special school for almost as long as Hattie has been alive. The school is closing, and autistic Adam is sent home to live with Hattie's rather stiff grandparents. Hattie and Leila do not understand all the fuss over Adam. They even hatch a plan to sneak Adam out for a night to have some carnival fun. Unfortunately, a tragedy causes Hattie to come to terms with the two separate phases of her life-"Before Adam" and "After Adam." Martin writes in such a way that the reader can imagine small town life through Hattie's eyes. This bittersweet and quiet story of friendship and loss will appeal to younger readers, as well as to those who have carried the title of "different."--Voice of Youth Advocates, December 1st, 2002Ann M. Martin is the creator of The Baby-sitters Club, which has more than 176 million books in print, making it one of the most popular series in the history of publishing. Her novels include A Corner of the Universe (a Newbery Honor Book), Belle Teal, Here Today, A Dog's Life, On Christmas Eve, and the Main Street and Family Tree series, as well as the much-loved collaborations P.S. Longer Letter Later and Snail Mail No More, with Paula Danziger. Ann lives in upstate New York.; Title: A Corner Of The Universe | [
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17,369 | 7 | Tony Abbott is the author of more than ninety books for young readers, including THE SECRETS OF DROON series; middle-grade novel KRINGLE; and THE HAUNTING OF DEREK STONE series. He was the recipient of the 2006 Golden Kite Award, as well as the 2009 Edgar Award. Tony was born in Ohio, and now lives with his wife and two daughters in Trumbull, Connecticut. Visit him online at www.tonyabbottbooks.com.; Title: The Secrets of Droon Special Edition #1: The Magic Escapes | [
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17,370 | 1 | Fuzzy felt on the cover lets readers pet the "biggest, reddest dog" on the block in Clifford the Big Red Dog 40th Anniversary Edition by Norman Bridwell. In this original 1963 text, young Emily proudly introduces her oversize pet and his unusual tricks. Ages 3-6.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.There's no denying that kids love Clifford. The Big Red Dog has been a favorite since Norman Bridwell created him over 40 years ago. "I was working as a commercial artist in New York City. There wasn't much work, so I made some sample pictures and took them to several publishers. They all rejected my work. But one editor suggested that I try writing a book of my own to illustrate. I had done a painting of a little girl with a big red dog. That seemed like a funny idea, so I made up a story about them. I increased the dog's size from as big as a horse to as big as a house. My wife named the dog Clifford, and we named the little girl Emily Elizabeth after our daughter. In three days I had written the story and drawn the pictures for Clifford The Big Red Dog. When Scholastic called and said they wanted the book, I was stunned." Bridwell, who grew up in Kokomo, Indiana, lives now on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, with his wife, Norma.For more information about Norman Bridwell, visit: scholastic.com/tradebooks; Title: Clifford The Big Red Dog | [
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17,371 | 11 | Grade 1-5From Independence Hall to Uncle Sam, this colorful book presents a mostly lighthearted look at familiar symbols of the United States, describing places, objects, treatises, and American holidays. Most of the subjects are given double-page treatments. Featuring soft edges and textured shading, the pastel and colored-pencil illustrations highlight details presented in the narrative. For example, a man is shown chiseling souvenir pieces from Plymouth Rock while his companion catches the bits in her apron. Asides help move the text along, as when a "Ding-dong THUNK!!" is heard when the Liberty Bell is rung with an off-key sound. Cool factoids are the rule here as well (e.g., on Mount Rushmore, Washington's nose is 20 feet long). The section on the Pledge of Allegiance mentions the "Under God" controversy. Myths are dispelled: "There is no proof that George Washington asked Betsy Rossto sew the first [flag]." While most descriptions are lengthy and contain enough detail for reports, the holidays are dismissed in single paragraphs. On the final page, the World Trade Center is described as a national symbol, because remembering "lets us turn an act of hate into a symbol of hope." The list for further reading is current, with most titles written after 2000. More in-depth and upbeat than Delno C. and Jean M. West's Uncle Sam and Old Glory (Atheneum, 2000), Keenan's title is a fine choice for libraries.Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 2-5. Keenan recounts the history of 9 patriotic U.S. holidays and 19 symbolic places, objects, and inspiring phrases. Ranging from Plymouth Rock and the bald eagle to the Pledge of Allegiance and Veteran's Day, Keenan offers basic information and fascinating trivia: who knew, for example, that the original Uncle Sam was a meat packer from New York who supplied the government with food during the War of 1812? Boyajian's attractive, pastel-and-colored pencil artwork appears on every page, providing clarification for the text and humor when appropriate. Most topics are covered in one double-page spread, but more space is devoted to complex symbols such as the White House, the Statue of Liberty, the American flag, and the Declaration of Independence. This roundup of Americana is a natural choice for primary-school civics units and students of English as a Second Language; it belongs in every school and public library. A glossary and a bibliography, and note on symbolism of 9/11 are appended. Kay WeismanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: O, Say Can You See? America's Symbols, Landmarks, and Important Words | [
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17,372 | 2 | Praise for Millicent Min, Girl Genius"An utterly charming debut, as well as being the kind of tour de force that leaves one breathless... Yee's mastery of the 'girl genius' voice is flawless, by turns hilarious and poignant." -- Boston Globe*"A heartfelt story full of wit." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review"Funny, charming, and heartwarming, with something to say about the virtues of trust and truth telling, this deserves an A." -- Kirkus Reviews; Title: Millicent Min, Girl Genius (Millicent Min Trilogy) | [
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17,373 | 0 | While wisely rated G for Gross ("Contains immature material not suitable for adults"), Andy Griffiths' very funny debut novel will almost certainly blow away--perhaps literally, stinkingly--anyone of any age who's ever suspected that their backside might be up to something.Translated from the Australian (sold Down Under as "The Day My Bum Went Psycho"), this adventure begins with the nighttime flight of our 12-year-old protagonist Zach's pale little heinie and doesn't let up for over 200 pages--most of which are filled almost exclusively with the word "butt." At first, Zach believes his butt might be leading some sort of minor butt rebellion, but the plot quickly thickens to include a global army of feral butts, the "greatest buttcano in the history of the world," and a head-butt "rearrangement" conspiracy that goes all the way to the... um, bottom. Our well-meaning but naive hero Zach soon gets mixed up with the butt-fighting "B-team" (the Kicker, the Kisser, and the Smacker, who all "love the smell of freshly smacked butt in the morning!"), fires his very first 4502-LL ("The LL stood for Laxative Launcher"), learns how to "butt-hop" ("The average butt has enough gas to propel itself and a rider for twenty minutes...."), and goes on a long, wild chase involving cluster butts, buttcatchers, kamikaze butts, stinkants, and even the fearsome Stenchgantor, "the Great Unwiped Butt." (And that's not even counting all those seagoing butt piranhas and poopoises.)Griffiths surely likes the cheap laughs and doesn't miss a single opportunity for buttly wordplay (from "high-frequency emissions" to the smell-ranking "Rectum scale"), but that doesn't make The Day My Butt Went Psycho any less clever--the fast-moving plot has as many double-crosses as double entendres, and Griffiths weaves in some pretty brilliant ideas. Who knew you could have a death throe scene between a butt and its owner? Also includes a snarky butt glossary in the book's... uh, rear. (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes; Title: The Day My Butt Went Psycho (Andy Griffiths' Butt) | [
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17,374 | 7 | A heart-stopping, nostril-burning sequel to the international bestseller <i>The Day My Butt Went Psycho!</i> Find out what happens when butts attack . . . from outer space!<br><br>In the deepest, darkest corner of the solar system lies an enemy more terrifying than the people of Earth could imagine. Vicious warriors who will let nothing stand in the way of their crusade for galactic domination. They're cunning. They're ruthless. They're zombie butts from Uranus!<br><br>Earth has only one hope for salvation. Zack, a twelve-year-old who wants nothing more than to wash his hands of the whole butt-fighting business. But Zack cannot shirk his duty--and he cannot escape his destiny. Joined by an assortment of butt-fighters, and his own brave butt, Zack will do what he must to rid the earth of these stinky space invaders. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.Andy Griffiths is the New York Times bestselling author of The Day My Butt Went Psycho!, Zombie Butts from Uranus!, Butt Wars!: The Final Conflict, Just Stupid!, Just Wacky!, Just Annoying!, Just Joking!, and Just Disgusting! He lives in Australia with his wife, their kids, and his butt.; Title: Zombie Butts From Uranus (Andy Griffiths' Butt) | [
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17,375 | 16 | Kids who love Clifford the Big Red Dog will enjoy this set of one dozen story books that reinforces phonetics, the "fundamental skill of knowing that the sounds we say represent the letters we read." Each simple booklet depicts Clifford in various adventures, from baking a cake for his friend Emily Elizabeth to rescuing a hive of bees to sharing a rainy day with a book and a friend. Emily Elizabeth introduces each story with an explanation of the sounds featured in that story: the final "e"; words that begin with "br," "gr," "tr," and "dr"; the long "a," etc. She encourages readers to pay attention to those sounds in that story and in the "many, many other stories" in which they appear. A letter included with the books describes ways of helping children learn to enjoy reading, and the whole collection is tucked into a handy cardboard carrying case with Velcro closure and plastic handle. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie CoulterThere's no denying that kids love Clifford. The Big Red Dog has been a favorite since Norman Bridwell created him over 40 years ago. "I was working as a commercial artist in New York City. There wasn't much work, so I made some sample pictures and took them to several publishers. They all rejected my work. But one editor suggested that I try writing a book of my own to illustrate. I had done a painting of a little girl with a big red dog. That seemed like a funny idea, so I made up a story about them. I increased the dog's size from as big as a horse to as big as a house. My wife named the dog Clifford, and we named the little girl Emily Elizabeth after our daughter. In three days I had written the story and drawn the pictures for Clifford The Big Red Dog. When Scholastic called and said they wanted the book, I was stunned." Bridwell, who grew up in Kokomo, Indiana, lives now on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, with his wife, Norma.For more information about Norman Bridwell, visit: scholastic.com/tradebooks; Title: Clifford the Big Red Dog: Phonics Fun Reading Program | [
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17,376 | 1 | LAUREN BROOKE lives outside London in an old English farmhouse. She divides her time between writing and mucking out the stalls of her two horses. In addition to writing the twenty-four Heartland books, Lauren is the author of the Chestnut Hill series.; Title: Heartland #16 | [
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17,377 | 2 | LAUREN BROOKE lives outside London in an old English farmhouse. She divides her time between writing and mucking out the stalls of her two horses. In addition to writing the twenty-four Heartland books, Lauren is the author of the Chestnut Hill series.; Title: Darkest Hour (Heartland, Book 13) | [
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17,378 | 1 | LAUREN BROOKE lives outside London in an old English farmhouse. She divides her time between writing and mucking out the stalls of her two horses. In addition to writing the twenty-four Heartland books, Lauren is the author of the Chestnut Hill series.; Title: Love is a Gift (Heartland No. 15) | [
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17,379 | 17 | Grade 4-7--In captivating words and pictures, Robinson chronicles the life of her legendary father. She weaves historical events into the story of one of baseball's greatest players, revealing how they shaped his life. Her text, combined with numerous black-and-white archival and family photographs, reproductions of newspaper headlines, magazine pages, and letters, illustrates Jackie Robinson's journey from childhood to the moment that he integrated major league baseball to his life as a businessman and civil rights spokesperson. In addition to personal details, this intimate biographical sketch and authentic glimpse into the life of a great African American provides information on the post-Civil War world, race relations, and the struggle for civil rights. It will inspire readers and enhance character-education units. Pair this first purchase with the author's Jackie's Nine: Jackie Robinson's Values to Live By (Scholastic, 2001).--Tracy Bell, Durham Public Schools, NC Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.*Starred Review* Gr. 3-7. There are numerous biographies about Robinson available for young people, but none have this book's advantage of family intimacy. In a personal account, Robinson's daughter, Sharon, describes her father's youth, his rise to become major-league baseball's first African American player, and his involvement in the civil rights movement. Sharon Robinson is an education executive for major-league baseball, and she writes about the sport and her father's life with the same immediate familiarity. It's her seamless blend of history and family story, though, that distinguishes this title. Through particular events in her father's life, the author makes the realities of a segregated society immediate: when her father first showed up for the Brooklyn Dodgers' spring training, for example, he was housed and fed separately from his white teammates. She also includes photographs of racially motivated death threats sent to the Robinson home. Robinson's emphasis on her parents' strong values reiterates some of the material in her previous title for youth, Jackie's Nine (2001), but her private view of her father's accomplishments, placed within the context of American sports and social history, makes for absorbing reading. An excellent selection of family and team photographs and other materials, including her parents' love letters in their own handwriting, illustrate this fine tribute. Gillian EngbergCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Promises to Keep: How Jackie Robinson Changed America | [
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17,380 | 0 | Grade 4-7Australian author Andy Griffiths has masterfully written this very humorous piece, read by Stig Wemyss. Griffiths, whose story is told in first person, chronicles a series of practical jokes, including episodes that involve fake vomit, dog poo, and bananas, among other things. In one story, Griffith tells of delivering a Gorilla-gram and, while dressed as a gorilla, stopping to observe restaurant goers, mocking them much like people do with gorillas in a zoo. He not only mimics their actions, he "moons" them when he is shooed away, carrying his gorilla antics a bit too far. The police show up, believing that he is a real gorilla, and attempt to subdue him and return him to the zoo. Most of Griffith's antics backfire on him, and the anticipation is appropriately written into the story. The decidedly Australian flair in both the writing and reading of this title adds to the sense of adventure. Music and sound effects are sprinkled throughout. This book will be prankster heaven for upper elementary and middle school students, particularly boys. Just plain fun, it is a worthy addition to audio collections, and may be enough to encourage reluctant readers to check out other titles by the author.Kirsten Martindale, formerly Menomonie Public Library, WI Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.ANDY GRIFFITHS is an internationally successful children's author and the New York Times bestselling creator of The Day My Butt Went Psycho!, Just Annoying, and Schooling Around series. He lives in Australia with his wife and kids.; Title: Just Joking (Just Books) | [
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17,381 | 14 | Including the historical significance of the major holidays of the Jewish faith, "Berger's lively, detailed and all-around enjoyable collection is indeed something to celebrate," said PW in a starred review. "Catalanotto's dramatic watercolors illustrate such legendary scenes as a Hanukkah lamp burning bright and Queen Esther saving her people from King Ahasuerus." Ages 5-9. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.; Title: Celebrate! Stories Of The Jewish Holiday | [
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17,382 | 0 | ANDY GRIFFITHS is an internationally successful children's author and the New York Times bestselling creator of The Day My Butt Went Psycho!, Just Annoying, and Schooling Around series. He lives in Australia with his wife and kids.; Title: Just Wacky | [
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17,383 | 0 | Grade 4-6ShahnaK'in Yaxchel Pacal, "Princess Green Jay on the Wall," is the daughter of King Hanaab Pacal of Lakamha City (now Palenque). She will become a "xoc," or reader and accountant, to her royal husband, as her mother was before her. Princess Green Jay is betrothed to K'ak Yipyaj Chan K'awil, "King Fire Keeper," in Xukpi (modern Copan). This alliance allows the author to discuss the varying terrains and political situations in Mesoamerica in A.D. 749, as Princess Green Jay and her entourage travel across the Mayan empire to her new home. However, the protagonist's diary entries provide only the briefest look into this culture and history; and many things, such as their intricate dating system, go unexplained. Also, because the characters are called by many names and parts of names, it's difficult to find a specific entry in the glossary, and there are no pronunciation guides.Lynda S. Poling, Long Beach Public Library, CA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Gr. 6-9. This entry in the Royal Diaries series takes readers to 749 C.E. Mesoamerica. Thirteen-year-old princess ShahnaK'in Yaxchel Pacal is chosen to marry the King of Xuchpi. First, though, the spoiled princess faces a long journey to her new home, which, as it turns out, brings her face to face with everything from natural disasters to human enemies. The text is dense, and Kirwan's descriptive prose has an archaic flavor; readers may struggle with the vocabulary and transliterated names (the appended glossary lacks pronunciations). What readers will like best is ShahnaK'in herself, an animated, independent character, whose commentary incorporates interesting details of Mayan culture (including descriptions of shrunken heads and body piercing that may make some readers shudder) as well as a sense of universal issues--from homesickness to developing self-reliance. Supporting materials include historical background, a family tree, and notes; illustrative material was not available in the galley. Shelle RosenfeldCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Lady of Palenque: Flower of Bacal, Mesoamerica, A.D. 749 (The Royal Diaries) | [
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17,384 | 1 | Right up front we'll say that the song "Victor Vito" is a much better song than it is a story. However, if you read the book while listening to the CD, you'll have a fun (and nonsensical) illustrated-song experience. Fortunately, the CD is included in the back, and features the songs "Victor Vito" and the catchy "Bumblebee (Buzz Buzz)," both written and performed by Berkner. Plus, the music to "Victor Vito" (with all four verses) is printed in the back for those wanting to create a festive and musical story hour.The book begins with a letter from polar bears Victor and Freddie, owners of Alaska's Klondike Caf, announcing to the seal-waitresses and walrus-cooks that they are embarking on a cross-America road trip to discover new, not-so-fishy taste treats. In New Mexico, they eat a burrito with Tabasco: "They put it on their rice, they put it on their beans." In Louisiana, they put it "on their rutabagas, and on their collard greens." In New York City, a squirrel maitre d' suggests, "Hey VICTOR! Hey Freddie! Let's eat some spaghetti." They do... with Tabasco. When Victor and Freddie finally get home, everyone is excited to eat spaghetti instead of the usual Klondike Caf fish. Henry Cole's wonderful depictions of polar bears on their culinary quest are as silly and lively as Berkner's song. (Preschool and older) --Karin SnelsonPreSchool-Grade 2--Berkner's children's song is "set to story" in this colorful picture book. Victor and Freddie, two polar bears who own the Klondike Caf in Alaska, decide they need to spice up their menu. They close their restaurant, give their walrus cooks and seal waitresses a vacation, hop into a convertible VW bug, and travel around America to find new flavors. From burritos in New Mexico to collard greens in Louisiana, and spaghetti in New York, they load up with different foods. Once home, they are joined by a party of critters at the Caf to celebrate their new cuisine. Cole's lush cartoon illustrations sprawl across the pages as the bears take in the scenery and tasty treats during their excursion. Added touches like the vacationing staff lolling on the beach and reading their bosses' postcards enlarge upon the slight lyrics. Children familiar with the song will enjoy the nuttiness of the story and even those who don't know it will appreciate the bears' antics. With its rhythmic lyrics and refrains, this is a fine choice for group sharing and would be fun to pair with the CD for a multimedia storytime.--Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WI Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.; Title: Victor Vito and Freddie Vasco: Two Polar Bears On A Mission To Save The Klondike Cafe! | [
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17,385 | 0 | As a child, Dav Pilkey was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD. Dav was so disruptive in class that his teachers made him sit out in the hall every day. Luckily, Dav loved to draw and make up stories, so he spent his time in the hallway creating his own original comic books.In the second grade, Dav Pilkey created a comic book about a superhero named Captain Underpants. His teacher ripped it up and told him he couldnt spend the rest of his life making silly books. Fortunately, Dav was not a very good listener.Dav has gone on to create award-winning and bestselling books for children. His Captain Underpants series has more than 80 million copies in print worldwide and has been translated into more than 28 languages. In 2017, DreamWorks Animation brought the character to the silver screen in the feature film adaptation Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, and Netflix is now streaming The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants TV show.Davs latest creation, Dog Man, continues to be a #1 New York Times bestselling series with more than 13 million copies in print worldwide and translations available in more than 21 languages. Dav is also the creator of the Dragon series, the Dumb Bunnies series, Dog Breath, and The Paperboy, which is a Caldecott Honor Book.Dav lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife.; Title: El Capitn Calzoncillos y el perverso plan del Profesor Pipicaca (Spanish Edition) | [
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17,386 | 13 | Tracey West is the author of more than 150 books for children and young adults, including the Pixie Tricks and Scream Shop series. An avid fan of cartoons, comic books, and manga, she has appeared on the New York Times bestseller list as author of the Pokémon chapter book adaptations. She currently lives with her family in New York State’s Hudson Valley.; Title: How to Draw Pokemon | [
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17,387 | 0 | ANDY GRIFFITHS is an internationally successful children's author and the New York Times bestselling creator of The Day My Butt Went Psycho!, Just Annoying, and Schooling Around series. He lives in Australia with his wife and kids.; Title: Just Annoying | [
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45771
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17,388 | 11 | Grade 1-3-Brilliant full-color photographs depict vivacious children of different ethnic and racial backgrounds as they make faces, play music, and act like kids. Poetic text conveys the diversity of the nation's citizens: "I am almond eyes. I am a proud nose. I am cheeks freckled the color of a rose." The bright pages of purple, hot pink, and lime green add to the joy of this theme-based photo album that celebrates the spirit of America. It's a good reminder that our nation is made up of many distinctive people with various interests, all part of the country we call home.Anne Knickerbocker, formerly at Cedar Brook Elementary School, Houston, TXCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.PreS-Gr. 2. "I am big baggy jeans. / I am bandana wraps. / I am blue denim jackets. / I am backward baseball caps." From clothes and music to religion and ethnicity, this handsome picture book celebrates diversity in America today, with lots of full-color photos of smiling kids and a simple rhyming text in very large type. Each kid appears repeatedly in lively close-up portraits, usually three or more to a page, revealing the rich variety in each individual. Mosaic, not melting pot, is the metaphor here, whether it's physical appearance, religion, or culture. Children will enjoy finding themselves and their friends and talking about their differences and connections. Hazel RochmanCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: I Am America (Rise and Shine) | [
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17,389 | 12 | Grade 4-7–A compendium of the hows, whys, and wherefores of weather, using two-page units to address a variety of related topics. Replete with a multitude of colorful illustrations and diagrams (and data-packed captions) and a plethora of sidebars, the conversational text is limited to a paragraph or so on each topic (such as types of clouds, sand and dust storms, etc.). The whole is rounded off with a "Facts" section, and eight relatively simple experiments. A key to measurement abbreviations and a metric/U.S. conversion chart are also appended. More detailed than Simon Adams's The Best Book of Weather (Kingfisher, 2001), less complex than Brian Cosgrove's Weather (Knopf, 1991), and larger in size than the compact National Audubon Society First Field Guides: Weather (Scholastic, 1998), this offering presents a fresh face in the weather lineup.–Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.; Title: Scholastic Atlas of Weather | [
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17,390 | 2 | The power and meaning of love is found in the simple, heartfelt promises that parents make to their children. That's the premise of this somewhat sentimental but visually impressive book. Using debut author Zuckerman's rather familiar lines as a jumping-off point ("I will hold you 'til you sleep/ Safe and warm within my arms/ Dreams of springtime's gentle breezes/ While my lullaby surrounds you"), Muth (Zen Shorts) imagines a journey of life's milestone moments, from birth to adulthood. A verse that begins, "I will kiss you when you fall," for instance, movingly covers a wide span of years that includes both a tumble the boy hero takes from his bike when he's a grade-schooler and also his first heartbreak as a teenager. Muth's rendering of the father comforting the jilted boy is emotionally astute. "When winter snows descend" inspires an image of the hero as a young man assisting and comforting his elderly mother. Muth graciously balances the weight of the scenes with an objective view, to keep this volume in the realm of the universal. All ages. (Oct.) Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PreSA gentle, poetic text is illustrated in soft gouache-and-watercolor washes that depict scenes in the life of a boy from infancy, when his mother and father hold him close, to adulthood, when he is a parent himself. The words and pictures both extol the power of love and his parents' hopes that he will Grow and flourish.../Love and be loved throughout his years. Somewhat in the vein of Robert Munsch's Love You Forever (Firefly) and Sam McBratney's Guess How Much I Love You (Candlewick, both 1995), this lovely book will find a home in most libraries.Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.; Title: I Will Hold You 'til You Sleep | [
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17,391 | 1 | What would you do if the ant you were about to step on looked up and started talking? Would you stop and listen? What if your friends saw you hesitate? Thats what happens in this funny, thought-provoking book. Originally a song by a father-daughter team, this conversation between two creatures, large and small, is bound to inspire important discussions. It might even answer that classic childhood question: To squish or not to squish?; Title: Oye, hormiguita/ Listen, Little Ant (Spanish Edition) | [
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17,392 | 2 | Jeanne Betancourt is the author of dozens of books for children, including the successful Pony Pals series. She lives on the Upper West Side of New York City. Visit her at www.jeannebetancourt.com; Title: No Ponies In The House! (Pony Pals #37) | [
24504,
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17,393 | 12 | 64 pages plus removable answer key; Title: Scholastic Success With: Grammar Workbook: Grade 6 (Scholastic Success with Workbooks: Grammar) | [
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17,394 | 2 | Kindergarten-Grade 2Mr. Pip, a monkey, has a birthday gift for his actor friend. However, because Frederick is so famous, he is showered with plenty of fabulous presents ranging from a solid-gold car to dinner at the White House. When Mr. Pip becomes morose about his meager offering, Frederick takes him to the Guild of Geniuses to discover why he is so glum. The famous doctors brainstorm together and come up with a series of ideas, many of which incorporate their inventions (for example, they try to soothe the monkey with music by having the Unmanned One-Man Band robot play beautiful tunes). However, the scientists are unable to determine what is wrong. The story concludes happily even though the solution is a bit obvious. Bright acrylic cartoon illustrations depict a variety of interesting-looking robots and show these imaginative machines at work. Varying perspectives and bold colors keep the action moving quickly. All in all, the artwork is more intriguing than the pedestrian plot.Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.PreS-Gr. 2. Mr. Pip, a monkey, is best friends with dashing actor Frederick Lipton. It's a lavish life, and on Frederick's birthday he receives many gifts, including a solid-gold car. After the festivities, Mr. Pip is so down that Frederick takes him to the Guild of Geniuses to figure out his problem. Inventive is the word here, especially for the artwork. Using acrylic and mixed media (along with "a little elbow grease and the right side of the brain"), Santat creates a fabulous world filled with kitschy delights--from spaceships and turntables to cycle-riding bears. And that's just on one spread. All sorts of incredible, futuristic inventions are used to cheer Mr. Pip, but it's not until Frederick reappears at home and Mr. Pip gives him the birthday present that got lost in the shuffle that all is well again. The story needs a little more, well, story, in the second half, but the cornucopia of images detracts from the lack.^B Some will recognize elements of Maira Kalman and William Joyce's artwork, but Santat is freshly his own. Ilene CooperCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: The Guild Of Geniuses | [
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17,395 | 2 | PreSchool-Grade 1The title of this book sets the tone immediately. A girl is sad, so she cries and she feels better. As her tears dry, the rainy sky brightens and a rainbow stretches across it. Laughing when she's happy, yelling when she's angry, sighing gently in a hammock when she's feeling peacefulall of these expressions of her feelings make her feel better. Throughout the story, a puppy is her constant companion. The deceptively simple illustrations provide a comforting cohesiveness-the same girl and her companionable dog, the same patchwork flowers blooming, the wide sky above changing colors but still the skyall reflect the message that it is safe and OK to have and express different feelings. Pair this book with Molly Bang's When Sophie Gets Angry-Really Really Angry (Scholastic, 1999) or Aliki's Feelings (HarperCollins, 1984), or let a child study each page while listening to the accompanying CD with its gentle guitar strums and subtle vocal harmonies.Susan Moorhead, New Rochelle Public Library, NY Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.LAURIE BERKNER produces fun, sing-along music that helps kids learn. Laurie has released four different albumsWhaddaya Think of That?; Buzz, Buzz; Under a Shady Tree; and Victor Vito. She is featured on the Noggin show Jacks Big Music Show. She lives in New York City.; Title: Story of My Feelings | [
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17,396 | 12 | A great starting place for curious young researchers and browsers alike, this reference tool explains topics in sufficient but not overwhelming detail for students ages 9-12. More than 600 entries are arranged alphabetically and range in length from one-half page to just over four pages. Entries are illustrated with more than 2,000 photographs, diagrams, charts, time lines, and maps. Longer entries include subheadings that divide text into easy-to-read sections. An introductory sentence or two follows entry headings and provides a brief definition or overview of the subject. Country and region entries have maps that show key geographical features, capitals, and major cities. "Key Facts" boxes give facts and figures about continents, regions, countries, and planets. Population figures are based on the 2000 U.S. census, 2001 Canadian census, or mid-2000 United Nations estimates."Did You Know?" boxes highlight interesting information (most Communist flags were red to represent the blood shed by workers in their struggle), while "Amazing Facts!" boxes showcase facts about the natural world and modern technology (the longest known cave stretches over 330 miles in the Mammoth system in Kentucky;^B the gray kangaroo can cover a distance of up to 30 feet in a single hop). See also references direct students to appropriate or related entries. A concluding "For Further Reference" section contains several useful resources, including maps of the world, the U.S., and Native American Nations; a time zone map; a countries table with names, flags, capitals, and population; a table of the 50 states with state flags, postal abbreviations, nicknames, capitals, years of admission, and population; and a U.S. presidents table including party affiliations, terms of office, vice presidents, and "Did You Know?" facts. A plant and animal classification chart, measurement calculations and conversions, and an index conclude the reference section. Libraries serving younger students will want multiple copies of this highly usable and user-friendly tool. Shauna YuskoCopyright American Library Association. All rights reservedCLICK HERE FIRST.Young children need direction when it comes to researching topics, direction that the Internet does not provide. That's why an age-appropriate, trusted source is a more important tool than ever. The Scholastic Children's Encyclopedia offers young students a starting point that leads them to the information they need in terms they understand.; Title: Scholastic Children's Encyclopedia | [
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17,397 | 5 | Grade 1-3-Diakite sets his story in his native Mali. After Dogo Zan the rabbit saves a chameleon from a sticky situation, he is given a magic gourd that fills with whatever its owner wishes in payment for his kindness. When the greedy king learns about its magic powers, he takes the gourd by force. Using another gift from the chameleon, Dogo Zan recovers his treasure and teaches a lesson in generosity as well. Diakit illustrates this tale with paintings on ceramic tiles, plates and bowls, and borders with designs from Bamana mud cloth patterns, which are imbued with their own symbolism. The resultant images, set against color-saturated backgrounds, are often arresting. The end matter includes lyrics to a praise song that illustrates the importance of spiritual wealth over material possessions, a description of pertinent aspects of the author's childhood, an explanation of the mud cloth designs, and a note about the widespread dissemination of stories with similar plot motifs. Overall, this is an attractive folktale variant.Miriam Lang Budin, Chappaqua Public Library, NYCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.Gr. 2-4, younger for reading aloud. With characteristic energy and spirit, Diakite retells a tale from his native Mali and illustrates it with painted, boldly patterned art created from ceramics. Searching for food for his famine-stricken family, Brother Rabbit pauses to free a chameleon from a thorn bush, and, in return, receives a magic bowl that fills with anything upon request. After a greedy king seizes the bowl, Chameleon gives Rabbit another gift--a rock that wreaks havoc on anyone who does not speak to it with respect. Rabbit uses the rock to regain his prize--and by choosing to leave the royal treasure behind, is able to reform the king. Bordering each ceramic design is a different "mud cloth" textile pattern, the meaning of which the artist explains in a lengthy postscript. Diakite closes with a discussion of the story's themes and antecedents, an introduction to praise songs, and a glossary of the Bambara exclamations and expressions that punctuate the story. Despite the pounding rock, this is less violent than many European variants of the tale; it actually focuses more on kindness than on trickery. John PetersCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: The Magic Gourd (Aesop Prize (Awards)) | [
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17,398 | 0 | Grade 5-7Pluto the dog knocks down the family's Christmas tree (known as a Hanukkah bush in the Goodman household) and the question of religion makes a sudden and unwelcome appearance. Dad is Jewish; Mom is Episcopalian; and the three kids, Ellen, Sam, and Maxie, have been brought up pretty much with no religion. When Dad suggests they celebrate Hanukkah this year, things become very tense, a situation exacerbated by the two grandmothers, who cordially loathe one another. Once the holidays limp to a close, the issue of religion continues to torment 12-year-old Sam. His mother suggests he try talking to God, but God doesn't seem to be answering. When his class begins a unit on the Holocaust and he starts talking to various adults about it, his confusion and unhappiness grows. A secondary plot about Sam's interest in a shallow girl is woven into the narrative. After a promising beginning, the story turns into an examination of the role of religion in the modern American family. Sam is a likable kid, and a fairly reliable narrator, although at times he sounds much older than his 12 years. No grand conclusions are reachedthe parties involved agree to disagree and let the kids make their own decisions when they grow up, which is what they were doing in the first place.Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.It's a rare children's author who is up to the challenge of writing across genres. Fewer still manage the transition smoothly. Booklist's Ilene Cooper is one of the successes. Her first book, a biography of Susan B. Anthony, opened the way for some 30 more, including the popular novels in the Kids from Kennedy Middle School series and the recent, ALA Notable biography Jack: The Early Years of John F. Kennedy (2003). With Sam I Am, out this month, Cooper returns to fiction, tackling a topic rarely treated in depth for middle-graders-religion. Why that particular subject? "Well," says Cooper, "I've always been fascinated by religion and the role it plays in our everyday lives. The idea of the Golden Rule, how people behave toward one another, is a recurring theme in my writing. Mean Streak, Queen of Sixth Grade, even Jack--they're all about how we treat others and being a better person, things my character Sam Goodman has to deal with, too."For Sam, it starts simply enough, when the Goodmans' dog knocks over the family's "Hannukah Bush." But the rascally pet's misdeed does more than topple the holiday tree; it prompts Sam's parents to rethink their decision to bring up their children without religious affiliation. Suddenly, Mr. Goodman, who is Jewish, and Mrs. Goodman, who is Christian, are arguing, and their clipped words and uncharacteristic silences are making everyone in the family uncomfortable, particularly 12-year-old Sam.Isn't 12 a little young to start thinking about such complicated ideas? "I don't think so," says Cooper. "That's about the time when kids really begin noticing what's around them. My house is different from your house; my parents are different from yours. They start to see contradictions and hypocrisies, and have to figure out how to deal with them."Indeed, Cooper traverses some hugely complicated territory as she spins out her story, which began, she says, as a gently comical book about kids growing up in an interfaith household. "But as I got deeper into the writing," Cooper admits, "I realized that the story had to address God in a serious way. It was a scary leap." Then she got caught up in the idea of writing about a family whose solutions weren't working for anyone. "It was hard to juggle so many things without making everything seem planned," Cooper recalls, "and I had to get it right without stereotyping people."But even when dealing with religious themes, Cooper never forgets that Sam is still a kid occupied with school, friends, and girls. And she's on the mark when it comes to both the middle-grade milieu and young teens' emotions, especially Sam's blind devotion to his pretty classmate, Heather, whom Cooper calls "careless. Like so many kids at that age, she doesn't care and she has no cares."Heather is a great foil for Sam, who obviously cares deeply. When his seventh-grade class begins a unit on the Holocaust, Sam, who has already initiated a few conversations with God, becomes even more intense in his questioning about faith and belief, and turns to God again. As Cooper explains, "I wanted kids to understand that prayer is everywhere and that one of its purposes it to help us facilitate the better angels in ourselves." And as Sam speaks to God, it's very plain that he's listening and talking to himself, too. Eventually, after he realizes that prayer is just a part of the dialogue, he talks to his grandmothers; his Jewish friend's father; his college-age sister, who is leaning toward an Eastern religion; and his parents, each of whom, in his or her own way, leads him to conclude that despite their differences, religions have a common goal: "In a way, they are all about repairing the world."So which religion do you think Sam will ultimately choose? "I don't know," says Cooper. "But I think that any kid as inquiring as he is will make a good decision." Stephanie ZvirinCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: Sam I Am | [
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17,399 | 0 | Grade 3-5Set in Warsaw in 1942, this picture book brings to life a little-known incident of Jewish resistance. A young girl who has escaped the Ghetto lives with her older sister who, with friends, plans to smuggle food to those still there. Somehow the Gestapo has heard of the plan and has designs of its owndogs to sniff out the bundles of food arriving with the resisters on a train. With quick thinking, the friends gather all of the cats living in Krasinski Square into baskets and head for the station. Just as the train pulls in, the felines are let loose, the dogs chase the cats, chaos erupts, and eventually the contraband is passed through the chinks in the Ghetto wall. Illustrated by Watson in an arresting departure from her usual style in muted tans, browns, and oranges, the cats, the people, the buildings of Warsaw, and even the snarling dogs are bathed in a warm yellow lighta kind of innocent luminescence of hope that belies the evil that is being done. The play of light and the naturalness of the cats' poses are almost a comfort in a story that adults sense as keenly distressing, and that beckons for adult interpretation or guidance. What is clear is the immediate poignancy of these cats and the author's evocative language in describing them: "They belonged once to someone. They slept on sofa cushions they purred nuzzling the chins of their beloveds." They could be the Polish Jewry of the Warsaw Ghetto.Harriett Fargnoli, Great Neck Library, NY Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.*Starred Review* Gr. 2-5. In luminous free verse, Hesse's latest picture book tells a powerful story of a young Jewish girl who, together with her older sister, ingeniously fights the Nazi occupation of Warsaw. After escaping from the Jewish ghetto, the girl avoids detection: "I wear my Polish look, / I walk my Polish walk. / Polish words float from my lips / and I am almost safe, / almost invisible." She finds joy in playing with the city's abandoned cats, who show her holes in the ghetto wall, which the girl's older sister and their resistance friends will use to pass supplies shipped by train to Warsaw. The Gestapo learns of the scheme, and soldiers wait at the train station with dogs. Luckily, the cats inspire a solution; they distract the dogs and protect the supplies. It's an empowering story about the bravery and impact of young people, and Hesse's clear, spare poetry, from the girl's viewpoint, refers to the hardships suffered without didacticism. In bold, black lines and washes of smoky gray and ochre, Watson's arresting images echo the pared-down language as well as the hope that shines like the glints of sunlight on Krasinski Square. An author's note references the true events and heartbreaking history that inspired this stirring, expertly crafted story. Gillian EngbergCopyright American Library Association. All rights reserved; Title: The Cats in Krasinski Square | [
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