Reviewed by Janet Enlow, on January 18th, 2012 Author: Johnson, Alaya Illustrator: Ota, Yuko Series: Twisted Journeys Publisher: Graphic Universe ISBN: 978-0-8225-8942-6 Year Published: 2011 Price: Grade Level: 4th-6th gr Rating: A
- Author: Johnson, Alaya
- Grade Level: 4th-6th gr
- Illustrator: Ota, Yuko
- ISBN: 978-0-8225-8942-6
- Length: 111p., 111p.
- Publisher: Graphic Universe
- Rating: A
- Reading level: 4th - 6th gr.
- Series: Twisted Journeys
- Year Published: 2011
YOU, the reader, are the main character in this story, and you make the choices in this adventure. You are a servant in the 1890′s while body snatchers are robbing graves. In the beginning, a friend is murdered and her body is snatched. You decide if you trust Igor… try to stop a monster… join . . . → Read More: Detective Frankenstein
Reviewed by Donna Dannenmiller, on January 18th, 2012 Author: Andre Leblanc Illustrator: Barroux Series: Publisher: Wilkins Fargo ISBN: 978-0-9806070-1-7 Year Published: 2009 Price: Grade Level: 3-8 Rating: R*
- Author: Andre Leblanc
- Grade Level: 3-8
- Illustrator: Barroux
- ISBN: 978-0-9806070-1-7
- Length: 32
- Publisher: Wilkins Fargo
- Rating: R*
- Reading level: 5+
- Year Published: 2009, 2009, 2009
Where in the world are pianos and pianists criminal?…in 1966 during the Cultural Revolution started by Chinese leader Mao Tsetung. The Red Piano was inspired by the incredible true story of the international concert pianist, Zhu Xiao-Mei. Art, literature, music, were out…hard manual labor in the fields, and the studying of Chairman Mao’s sayings and . . . → Read More: The Red Piano
Reviewed by Donna Dannenmiller, on January 17th, 2012 Author: Felicia Lowenstein Niven Illustrator: Series: Fabulous Fashions of the Decades Publisher: Enslow ISBN: 978-0-7660-3554-6 Year Published: 2012 Price: Grade Level: 3-5 Rating: AD
- Author: Felicia Lowenstein Niven
- Grade Level: 3-5
- ISBN: 978-0-7660-3554-6
- Length: 48 pages
- Publisher: Enslow
- Rating: AD
- Reading level: 4+
- Series: Fabulous Fashions of the Decades
- Year Published: 2012
Occasionally, I have students interested in fashion, therefore, I had hopes that this publication would give them good examples from the 1980s. My first disappointment was when I discovered that the book was heavy on text and skimpy on photographs. My second disappointment was realizing that the title was misleading. It felt like more of . . . → Read More: Fabulous Fashions of the 1980′s
Reviewed by Mary Pong, on January 17th, 2012 Author: Stewart, Melissa Illustrator: photos Series: Animal Look-Alikes Publisher: Enslow Publishers, Inc. ISBN: 978-0-7660-3680-2 Year Published: 2011 Price: Grade Level: 3, 4, 5 grades Rating: R
- Author: Stewart, Melissa
- Grade Level: 3, 4, 5 grades, 3, 4, 5 grades, 3, 4, 5 grades
- Illustrator: photos
- ISBN: 978-0-7660-3680-2
- Length: 24 pages
- Publisher: Enslow Publishers, Inc.
- Rating: R
- Series: Animal Look-Alikes
- Year Published: 2011
Author Melissa Stewart takes her readers on a side by side comparison of these two large ocean animals using the headings:
Fish or Mammal?, Scales or Skin?, Tail or Flukes? , Gills or Lungs? , Pup or Calf? , and Smell or Sound?
Sharks are always on the left page with the dolphins always opposite . . . → Read More: Shark or Dolphin? How Do You Know?
Reviewed by Mary Pong, on January 17th, 2012 Author: Baron Specter Illustrator: Dustin Evans Series: Ghostly Graphic Adventures Publisher: magic wagon / Graphic Planet ISBN: 978-1-60270-774-0 Year Published: 2011 Price: Grade Level: 4, 5, 6 grades Rating: Ad+
- Author: Baron Specter
- Grade Level: 4, 5, 6 grades
- Illustrator: Dustin Evans
- ISBN: 978-1-60270-774-0
- Length: 32 pages
- Publisher: magic wagon / Graphic Planet
- Rating: Ad+
- Series: Ghostly Graphic Adventures
- Year Published: 2011
This is book 5 in the Ghostly Graphic Adventures series.
Joey and Tank take a trip to explore Star Island, one of the Isle of Shoal in New Hampshire. Perhaps they’ll find some of Blackbeard, the pirate’s treasure. While on the island they meet up with Mitty who lives there, only to discover later she . . . → Read More: Star Island Spirits, The
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on January 17th, 2012 Author: Monica Carretero Illustrator: Monica Carretero Series: Publisher: Cuento De Luz ISBN: 978-849382400-6 Year Published: 2011 Price: $14.95 Grade Level: K-3 Rating: R
- Author: Monica Carretero
- Grade Level: K-3
- Illustrator: Monica Carretero
- ISBN: 978-849382400-6
- Price: $14.95
- Publisher: Cuento De Luz
- Rating: R
- Year Published: 2011
In this whimsical adventure, some fleas decide to hop off their animals and start a traveling circus. The audience loves the show which finales with a flea being shot to the moon! This book would make a fun read-aloud and the colorful illustrations will capture imaginations. Writing about a flea adventure is a unique idea . . . → Read More: Flea Circus
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on January 16th, 2012 Author: Elena Pasquali Illustrator: Steve Lavis Series: Publisher: Lion Children's Book ISBN: 978-0-7459-6253-5 Year Published: 2010 Price: $14.99 Grade Level: K-3 Rating: R*
- Author: Elena Pasquali
- Grade Level: K-3
- Illustrator: Steve Lavis
- ISBN: 978-0-7459-6253-5
- Price: $14.99
- Publisher: Lion Children's Book
- Rating: R*
- Year Published: 2010
This book is a winner for a catholic school library such as ours. In the context of the classic Noah’s Ark story, this book took the perspective of Mrs. Noah. While her husband was busy saving two of each animal on Earth, Mrs. Noah very practically focused on vegetation, particularly edible vegetation. She gathered up . . . → Read More: Mrs. Noah’s Vegetable Ark
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on January 16th, 2012 Author: Vincent Goodwin Illustrator: Fred Perry Series: Graphic Shakespeare Publisher: Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO Publishing ISBN: 978-1-60270-765-8 Year Published: 2011 Price: Grade Level: 6-12 Rating: R
- Author: Vincent Goodwin
- Grade Level: 6-12
- Illustrator: Fred Perry
- ISBN: 978-1-60270-765-8
- Publisher: Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO Publishing
- Rating: R
- Series: Graphic Shakespeare
- Year Published: 2011
The graphic novel style and engaging illustrations should attract young readers to this classic literature by Shakespeare. The language can be difficult to understand, especially in this abbreviated format without the complete context of the original work. With a couple of readings as well as the illustrated “Cast of Characters” in the beginning of the . . . → Read More: Julius Caesar
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on January 16th, 2012 Author: Laura Murray Illustrator: Mike Lowery Series: Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons ISBN: 978-0-399-25052-1 Year Published: 2011 Price: 16.99 Grade Level: K-3 Rating: R*
- Author: Laura Murray
- Grade Level: K-3
- Illustrator: Mike Lowery
- ISBN: 978-0-399-25052-1
- Price: 16.99
- Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
- Rating: R*
- Year Published: 2011
What a fun read-aloud! This picture book in graphic novel style put a big smile on my face from the rhyming text to the hilarious illustrations. A school class bakes a gingerbread man and leaves it to cool in the classroom during recess. The gingerbread man thinks he’s been left behind and goes searching for . . . → Read More: The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on January 16th, 2012 Author: James Mayhew Illustrator: James Mayhew Series: Publisher: Orchard Books ISBN: 9781408304631 Year Published: 2010 Price: 15.99 Grade Level: K-5 Rating: R
- Author: James Mayhew
- Grade Level: K-5
- Illustrator: James Mayhew
- ISBN: 9781408304631
- Price: 15.99
- Publisher: Orchard Books
- Rating: R
- Year Published: 2010
This creative and fun picture book takes little Katie and her grandma to an art gallery with a Monet exhibit. While grandma rests, Katie is surprised when a woman in a Monet painting invites her to hop into the painting for a little art lesson. Borrowing some art supplies, Katie hops out of the . . . → Read More: Katie and the Waterlily Pond: A magical journey through five Monet masterpieces
Reviewed by Gail Blake, on January 13th, 2012 Author: Grandits, John Illustrator: Austin, Michael Allen Series: Publisher: Clarion Books ISBN: 9780618788224 Year Published: 2011 Price: 14.95 Grade Level: 1st-3 Rating: R
- Author: Grandits, John
- Grade Level: 1st-3
- Illustrator: Austin, Michael Allen
- ISBN: 9780618788224
- Price: 14.95
- Publisher: Clarion Books
- Rating: R
- Reading level: 3rd
- Year Published: 2011
Kyle is riding the bus for the first time and has been instructed by his big brother on what to do to survive the bus ride. There were 10 rules he must absolutely not break if he is to survive the school bus ride. As Kyle rides the bus he ends up breaking most . . . → Read More: Ten Rules You Absolutely Must not Break if You Want to Survive the School Bus
Reviewed by Gail Blake, on January 13th, 2012 Author: Henson, Heather Illustrator: MacDonald, Ross Series: Publisher: Atheneum ISBN: 9781416908111 Year Published: 2009 Price: $14.95 Grade Level: K-3 Rating: A
- Author: Henson, Heather
- Grade Level: K-3
- Illustrator: MacDonald, Ross
- ISBN: 9781416908111
- Price: $14.95
- Publisher: Atheneum
- Rating: A
- Reading level: 3rd
- Year Published: 2009
Most children don’t understand when an elderly person is grumpy and the children don’t want to be around them. In this book the little boy doesn’t like to go to grandpa’s house because Grandpa is grumpy and scary. There is not much to do at Grumpy Grandpa’s house and you have to be quite and . . . → Read More: Grumpy Grandpa
Reviewed by Gail Blake, on January 13th, 2012 Author: Hallowell, George Illustrator: Avril, Lynne Series: Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co ISBN: 9780807586129 Year Published: 2011 Price: $17.00 Grade Level: 3rd-5th Rating: R*
- Author: Hallowell, George
- Grade Level: 3rd-5th
- Illustrator: Avril, Lynne
- ISBN: 9780807586129
- Price: $17.00
- Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co
- Rating: R*
- Reading level: 3rd-5th
- Year Published: 2011
This is a good book about two different families from different times in history and both traveling from Missouri, to Oregon City. One family is from 1846 and the other from NOW.
This book takes you on an interesting trip with both families. In 1846 it would take you five months to travel from Independence, . . . → Read More: Wagons Ho!
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on January 13th, 2012 Author: Scott Gustafson Illustrator: Scott Gustafson Series: Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers ISBN: 978-1-4169-9764-1 Year Published: 2011 Price: $15.99 Grade Level: 4-8 Rating: R*
- Author: Scott Gustafson
- Grade Level: 4-8
- Illustrator: Scott Gustafson
- ISBN: 978-1-4169-9764-1
- Price: $15.99
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Rating: R*
- Year Published: 2011
Right away, the reader is drawn into this book by the wonderful cover illustration which is dramatic and amazingly detailed. Quickly paging through, we find beautiful and expressive black and white sketches to enhance the text on almost every page. This fictional story is framed in the factual setting of Edgar Allan Poe’s childhood. Orphaned . . . → Read More: Eddie: The Lost Youth of Edgar Allan Poe
Reviewed by Christine Evans, on January 13th, 2012 Author: Carolyn Hennesy Illustrator: Series: Pandora Publisher: Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children's Books ISBN: 978-1-59990-198-5 Year Published: 2009 Price: $14.99 Grade Level: 5-8 Rating: R
- Author: Carolyn Hennesy
- Grade Level: 5-8
- ISBN: 978-1-59990-198-5
- Price: $14.99
- Publisher: Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children's Books
- Rating: R
- Series: Pandora
- Year Published: 2009
Pandora Gets Lazy is the third book in this series following Pandora Gets Jealous and Pandora Gets Vain. Featuring Greek Gods, myths and characters from Greek ancient history, this book continues the adventures of Pandora who is attempting to recapture all the evils which has she accidentally released from the box. On her way to . . . → Read More: Pandora Gets Lazy
Reviewed by Annette McQueen, on January 12th, 2012 Author: Janet Stevens Illustrator: Susan Stevens Crummel Series: Publisher: Harcourt ISBN: 9780152064327 Year Published: Price: 16.99 Grade Level: Rating: R+
- Author: Janet Stevens
- Illustrator: Susan Stevens Crummel
- ISBN: 9780152064327
- Price: 16.99
- Publisher: Harcourt
- Rating: R+
This is a keeper! This one needs to be nominated for the Washington Children’s Picture Book Award for 2012-2013 school year. Janet Stevens does it again, knocks one out of the ballpark. The main characters of this story are the tools that you would find on a teacher’s desk: scissors, stapler, pushpin, etc. and of . . . → Read More: The Little Red Pen
Reviewed by Heidi Roycroft, on January 12th, 2012 Author: Emily Smith Pearce Illustrator: Series: Publisher: Front Street ISBN: 13-978-1-932425-44-4 Year Published: 2007 Price: 15.95 Grade Level: 3-5 Rating: Add
- Author: Emily Smith Pearce
- Grade Level: 3-5
- ISBN: 13-978-1-932425-44-4
- Length: 125 p.
- Price: 15.95
- Publisher: Front Street
- Rating: Add
- Year Published: 2007
Reviewed by Mary Pong, on January 12th, 2012 Author: Mitchell, Susan K. Illustrator: Jurgen Freund & photos Series: Biggest vs. Smallest Publisher: Baileys Books / Enslow Publishers, Inc. ISBN: 978-0-7660-3579-9 Year Published: 2011 Price: Grade Level: 3, 4, & 5 grades Rating: R
- Author: Mitchell, Susan K.
- Grade Level: 3, 4, & 5 grades
- Illustrator: Jurgen Freund & photos
- ISBN: 978-0-7660-3579-9
- Length: 24 pages
- Publisher: Baileys Books / Enslow Publishers, Inc.
- Rating: R
- Series: Biggest vs. Smallest
- Year Published: 2011
In Biggest vs. Smallest, Susan K. Mitchell compares animals much like the birds- an ostrich to a hummingbird. BUT Mitchell compares a Komodo dragon to a dwarf gecko, a Goliath frog to a Brazilian gold frog, and an anaconda to a Lesser Antillean threadsnake. While I’ve known of Komodo dragons and anacondas for 30 or . . . → Read More: Biggest vs. Smallest Slimy, Scaly Creatures
Reviewed by Mary Pong, on January 12th, 2012 Author: Enslow, Brain Illustrator: photos Series: All About Colors of the Seasons Publisher: Enslow Publishers, Inc. ISBN: 978-0-7660-3906-3 Year Published: 2012 Price: Grade Level: Pre-K, K, ! Rating: R
- Author: Enslow, Brain
- Grade Level: Pre-K, K, !
- Illustrator: photos
- ISBN: 978-0-7660-3906-3
- Length: 23 pages
- Publisher: Enslow Publishers, Inc.
- Rating: R
- Reading level: Guided Reading Level: B
- Series: All About Colors of the Seasons
- Year Published: 2012
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple are each given a 2-page spread of their own, plus: brown, white, and black.
Each spread has an object photographed against a white background accompanied by the color word and the name of the object ( red bike, yellow duckling). Each object fills the page nicely giving the reader . . . → Read More: Spring Colors
Reviewed by Mary Pong, on January 12th, 2012 Author: Curry, Don L. Illustrator: Erin O'Leary Brown Series: Rookie Ready to Learn / Animals Publisher: Children's Press/ Scholastic ISBN: 978-0-531-26416-4 Year Published: 2011 Price: Grade Level: Pre-K, K, 1, & 2 Rating: R
- Publisher: Children's Press/ Scholastic
- Length: 32 pages
- ISBN: 978-0-531-26416-4
- Illustrator: Erin O'Leary Brown
- Grade Level: Pre-K, K, 1, & 2
- Author: Curry, Don L.
- Rating: R
- Reading level: 250 Lexile
- Series: Rookie Ready to Learn / Animals
- Year Published: 2011
An observant little girl enjoys seeing the many changes occurring during the coming of spring “in my backyard.”
There are ten 2-page spreads. Each one with the following pattern: _____________________ in my backyard.
Example: Trees have buds in my backyard. Other subjects include: frogs, ants, birds, seeds, ladybugs, flowers, squirrels, spiders, and ducks.
Illustrator, Erin . . . → Read More: In My Backyard
Reviewed by Gail Blake, on January 9th, 2012 Author: Wooldridge, Connie Nordhielm Illustrator: Walz, Richard Series: Publisher: Calkins Creek ISBN: 978159787106 Year Published: 2011 Price: 20.34 Grade Level: 3-5 Rating: R*
- Author: Wooldridge, Connie Nordhielm
- Grade Level: 3-5
- Illustrator: Walz, Richard
- ISBN: 978159787106
- Price: 20.34
- Publisher: Calkins Creek
- Rating: R*
- Reading level: 3 and up
- Year Published: 2011
This is a great book that tells how the dirt roads have turned into the interstate and highway system that we have today. It goes from the construction of the National Road to the railroads and the better roads for the bikes and cars that were invented. It shows how as new inventions come along . . . → Read More: Just fine the way they are; from dirt roads to rail roads to interstates
Reviewed by Jocilyn Aarde, on January 9th, 2012 Author: Anna Kendall Illustrator: Series: Publisher: Penguin Group ISBN: 9780670012466 Year Published: 2010 Price: $17.99 Grade Level: Grade 10 and up Rating:
- Author: Anna Kendall
- Grade Level: Grade 10 and up
- ISBN: 9780670012466
- Price: $17.99
- Publisher: Penguin Group
- Year Published: 2010
Roger had a very hard life. He never knew his father, and his mother died when he was very young. He was forced to live with his Aunt Jo and Uncle Hartah. Uncle Hartah forced Roger to do things he didn’t want to do (cross over). Roger was mistreated and malnourished by Hartah. Once Hartah . . . → Read More: Crossing Over
Reviewed by Gail Blake, on January 9th, 2012 Author: Rossendale, Helen Illustrator: Philpot, Graham Series: Publisher: Pavilion ISBN: 9781843651475 Year Published: 2010 Price: 14.99 Grade Level: 3-4 Rating: A
- Author: Rossendale, Helen
- Grade Level: 3-4
- Illustrator: Philpot, Graham
- ISBN: 9781843651475
- Price: 14.99
- Publisher: Pavilion
- Rating: A
- Year Published: 2010
This is not the Disney story of Pinocchio. This story is a very harsh one written in 1883. Pinocchio is always in great trouble. I would only read these bedtime stories to an older child, because they could cause nightmares.
I Like the pictures, they are beautiful. The framing around the pictures is wonderful.
Reviewed by Gail Blake, on January 9th, 2012 Author: Johnson, Lindsay lee Illustrator: Cneut, Carlll Series: Publisher: Clarion Books ISBN: 9780618868667 Year Published: 2011 Price: 14.95 Grade Level: k-2 Rating: R
- Author: Johnson, Lindsay lee
- Grade Level: k-2
- Illustrator: Cneut, Carlll
- ISBN: 9780618868667
- Price: 14.95
- Publisher: Clarion Books
- Rating: R
- Reading level: 3rd
- Year Published: 2011
This is a cute story of ten little piglets who love to go wandering at night while Mamma sleeps. The illustrations are beautiful. The rhymes are wonderful. Great bedtime story.
Reviewed by Gail Blake, on January 9th, 2012 Author: Wheeler, Lisa Illustrator: Gott, Barry Series: Publisher: Carolrhoda ISBN: 9780761363934 Year Published: 2011 Price: 16.95 Grade Level: 1-3 Rating: R*
- Author: Wheeler, Lisa
- Grade Level: 1-3
- Illustrator: Gott, Barry
- ISBN: 9780761363934
- Price: 16.95
- Publisher: Carolrhoda
- Rating: R*
- Reading level: 2-4
- Year Published: 2011
This is a cute story of dinosaurs playing basketball. The pictures are great and colorful. The text makes the story move and exciting.
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