It’s one of those how-to-adapt-to-a-new-baby-in-the-house stories. Leon is not sure where his new little brother is going to fit in their lives: can’t be on mom’s lap, as there’s only room for Leon there; can’t be in mama’s arms (they’re just the right size for cuddling him, so obviously too big to cuddle a tiny baby); can’t be between mom and dad while holding hands (Leon holds both); can’t be on dad’s shoulders like Leon (baby’s too tiny). After much hemming and hawing, Leon is about to conclude they have no place to put a new baby in their home, when he realizes his own arms are just the right size to snuggle a baby. The illustrations are simple and child-like.
God Bless the Gargoyles
The illustrations are gorgeous — rich, saturated jewel tones. The story is told in rhyme, beginning in the ancient days of cathedral building, describing the purpose of gargoyles to stand watch and keep evil spirits away, before fast-forwarding to the days when folks had forgotten the original purpose of the gargoyles, seeing them as ugly demons. As the story continues, we see how hurt the gargoyles are when they overhear what people think of them, but we see too that angels see the gargoyles’ pain, and venture near to ease it. One stormy night the angels come help the gargoyles take flight over the earth below, where they see others who feel lonely, but they are able to see that they aren’t truly alone: each seemingly unwanted soul is being loved and guided and cherished by an angel of his/her own. I do have one gripe with this book. I’m sure as an artist, the author had a very good reason for making the decision he did, but as an educator, I am frustrated that there is not one single capital letter in the entire text — a poor example for young students who struggle with proper grammar rules already.
Los Portaviones
It’s a high-interest topic (aircraft carriers), and a highly-appealing format (the hard-cover book begins with a code that matches it to an online, bilingual e-book). The introductory page offers instructions for accessing the ebook in both languages (English and Spanish). The rest of the text of the book is in Spanish only. The text is simple, and well-supported by the full-page color photos. Useful both as a tool for Spanish-speaking students who are beginning readers, as well as for those who are learning Spanish.
Rabbit Stew
Ah, the power of a comma! This is a story meant to mislead until the twist at the end. The story unfolds with the fox family tending their garden and declaring it’s time for their prize-winning rabbit stew. As they list off all the ingredients they’ll need, the illustrations show the worried rabbit watching the foxes gather said ingredients. And then in the end, we see that they’ve gathered all this lovely food for their favorite Rabbit, Stew, and his family too. So it turns out Stew isn’t the main dish, but the recipients of this feast.
Accident!
It’s cute and it’s relatable. When the main character spills juice all over a chair, she’s so distressed she decides to run away to the library until she’s grown up. On the way to the library, she meets a number of friends with their own disasters, who decide to join her. After a series of catastrophes piling up like a chain of dominoes dropping on each other, a little bird interrupts her cries of calamity to remind her that it was just an accident, which we’ve seen through the story, can happen to anyone. Instead of running away, our main character learns to apologize and make things better.
Vanilla by Billy Merrell
Vanilla by: Billy Merrell
The book Vanilla by Billy Merrell is beautifully written and have quickly become one of my favorites. The story follows two high school boys, Vanilla and Hunter, who have been in love since middle school. Their relationship is based first on friendship and later on romantic feelings. Although things have progressed physically over time, Hunter is ready for much more than Vanilla is ready to give. The two are struggling in their relationship for the first time; both are emotionally invested and have feeling of love for one another, but Vanilla continually backs away from sex any time the two discuss it or get close to trying – ultimately causing a rift between the two. Written in verse, Vanilla, will appeal to reluctant readers because of the lyrical nature and the unusual formatting, it makes for a very quick read. Ultimately, Vanilla allows readers to watch as the characters struggle with their own sense of self-discovery. Anyone looking to add diverse reads to their collection should consider Vanilla a must-have.
The Ghost of Graylock
Neil and Bree are sent to stay with their Aunt in upstate New York. Neil wants to be a ghost hunter so he is excited with the transition to his Aunt’s house. Within walking distance of their new home is an abandoned psychiatric hospital. The hospital closed more than a decade ago after three mysterious drownings and the suicide of an accused night nurse. But when the two kids, along with their two new friends, break into the building they encounter mysterious events that cannot be explained. In the days after their visit to the abandoned hospital, Neil and Bree are plagued by horrific visions and nightly visits from a ghost.
As time goes on, they begin to realize that the ghost is one of the drowning victims who wants to bring her murderer to justice. The further the four get to uncovering clues, the more apparent it becomes that Nurse Janet has been unjustly accused and the real murderer is intent on making sure that the truth is never brought to light. Short chapters with cliff-hanger endings and several twists and turns in the plot will ensure that the pages turn quickly.
Jasper John Dooley: Public Library Enemy #1
Mayhem ensues when Jasper gets his library book wet and dad decides that drying it in the oven would be a good idea.
Jasper is back for another fun beginning chapter book story. This is the sixth book in a series that follows Jasper on his comical adventures. With loving help from his parents he manages to navigate the bumps of early elementary and learn a few life lessons along the way.
A good transitional beginning chapter book that children will enjoy.
Lexile level 570 / guided reading level M grades 2/3
Dingus
It is almost summer break and fifth grader, Henry, isn’t looking forward to it at all. His best friend Max is going off to Chess camp leaving Henry with no one to hang out with. However, even if Max weren’t going to camp, Henry might still be alone. Max and Henry have been friends since Kindergarten, but this year their friendship is strained by Max’s new circle of friends and life in general. Henry feels lost and confused which expresses itself as anger towards Max. Henry begins to realize that sometimes you have to give a little to maintain a friendship. Will Henry be able to do that?
A coming of age story that both boys and girls will enjoy and relate to.
The story would benefit from a few illustrations.
All in Pieces
All in Pieces by Suzanne Young stretches the drama of an unhappy, unloved teenage girl to the max. Savannah Sutton is in a reform high school for anger management for stabbing a pencil into the hand of her former boyfriend when he mocks her special needs brother. At Brooks Academy, Savannah meets Cameron, a modern day Prince Charming. In spite of Savannah’s resistance, Cameron breaks through her protective shield and “rescues” her from some uncomfortable situations. Learning to deal with anger when feeling powerless is addressed honestly. Being “saved” by a handsome, rich, altruistic guy is an unrealistic solution to the not uncommon problems of an alcoholic father, a runaway mother, a special needs sibling, and poverty. Rough language and a friend’s near-fatal overdose make the story teeter on the edge of “too much”! The novel is timely in its choice of topics but totally off the mark in the resolution of being saved by a guy and the reliance of “others” to take care of Savannah rather than showing how she could develop her own strength and self-reliance. Not the best YA available.