The Birthday Ball

Written by Lois Lowry

Illustrated by Jules Feiffer

Most enjoyed by 4th through 6th graders

Princess Patricia Priscilla is turning 16 soon and dreading it. On that day, at her birthday ball, she must choose a husband according to the laws of the domain. Unfortunately, that is the last thing Princess Patricia wants to do. She's bored with her life and so, inspired by a conversation with her chambermaid Tess, decides to switch places for one day with the girl and become a peasant. After putting on Tess's humble garments, Princess Patricia heads off to school, there becoming the student Pat and learning that there are quite a few differences between peasant life and royal life. The headmaster welcomes her but he's very different from the old, stern teacher Tess had warned her about. In fact, he's young, quite handsome and very kind.

Meanwhile, in domains far away, four princes get ready to woo Princess Pat. Each one is repulsive in his own way and not a single one of them cares a bit about her, concerned only about the prestige and power and money a marriage to her will bring. As the ball nears, Pat becomes more determined to have her way but the princes are just as determined as well. Which one will Pat choose? Will she be forced to live the rest of her life in misery or will she find a way to make her dreams come true?

'The Birthday Ball' is a delightful tale of a young princess taking charge of her life. The four princes from which Pat must choose are each deliciously disgusting so readers cringe throughout the story guessing which one will be selected. Thanks to Tess, the headmaster Rafe, and the peasant school children, Pat changes from a self-centered, disinterested princess to one that is warm and caring. When Pat makes her choice, readers will cheer and agree that it's the very best choice.

While the cover of 'The Birthday Ball' may appeal to younger readers, I think the book is best enjoyed by slightly older readers, say 4th through 6th graders. The preparations the four princes go through to woo Pat are so extreme they're funny. Pat herself is a character that one dislikes initially due to her self-centeredness, but as she changes, so do the reader's feelings about her. I particularly liked the royal staff who serve the King, Queen and Princess so faithfully, especially the three singing servant girls. I found myself humming along with them as they sang in their three-part harmony.

'The Birthday Ball' is a perfect read for a lazy summer day so grab a pencil and add it to your summer reading list (you have one started, don't you?!).

The Lion's Share

Written and illustrated by Matthew McElligott
Most enjoyed by 1st through 4th graders

Matthew McElligott has a way with math concepts that makes them so simple to understand. In 'Bean Thirteen', reviewed here, he covered simple division. In 'The Lion's Share', he tackles fractions and does it so well it can almost be said that fractions are easy (note, I said almost!).

Each year, the Lion holds a special dinner party for his animal friends. Ant is invited for the first time and is quite excited. Wanting to make a good impression, he arrives on time only to discover that the other guests are there already, indulging in a glorious feast but displaying terrible table manners. When the lion serves dessert, he invites his guests to help themselves and each does in his own greedy way. The elephant feels that half is his fair share so he takes half of the cake. The hippo feels that he can take half of what's left since the elephant took half. The gorilla takes half again and so on until the portion left for the ant crumbles before he can take a bite. Feeling terrible, the ant offers to make the lion a cake. When the others hear this, they wish to outdo the ant, offering twice what the guest before him has offered. So the beetle offers to make two cakes, followed by the frog who offers four, and so on until the elephant, who started the whole greedy affair, must offer a staggering number of cakes in order to save face.

Not only does 'The Lion's Share' excel at showing the effects of halving and doubling, it also serves as a great object lesson for greed and humbleness. Kids see what happens when one is self-centered but they'll cheer for the simply humility of the ant. The book demands using real cake to demonstrate the halving for the kids. M&M's could be used to show the doubling. It would be an object lesson that would stay with the kids and I'm sure would soon be a favorite. I'll be on the look-out for more math books by Matthew McElligott.

Big Wolf & Little Wolf

Written by Nadine Brun-Cosme

Illustrated by Olivier Tallec

Most enjoyed by readers in Kindergarten through 3rd grade

Big Wolf sees a small something coming towards him in the distance. What could it be? Will it want to stay? If it does, should he share his blanket? What about the tree that has always belonged to him? That small something turns out to be Little Wolf, who stays and does everything Big Wolf does. At first, Big Wolf shares a little of what he has - a little of his blanket, a little of his food. When he returns from a walk in the woods to discover that Little Wolf is gone, he realizes how much he's become used to having Little Wolf around, how much he misses his company.

Sometimes, when new people enter our lives, we're wary of them, uncertain how to act or how they will act towards us. The relationship of Big Wolf and Little Wolf beings with that tentative hesitation, but as Big Wolf becomes more familiar with Little Wolf, he opens up his heart and lets Little Wolf in. They become friends in a simple, quiet way. 'Big Wolf & Little Wolf' reinforces the idea that friendship is built on trust and little acts of kindness. What a great reminder for kids and the rest of us as well!

Bean Thirteen

Written and illustrated by Matthew McElligott

Most enjoyed by readers in 1st through 4th grade

Division can be a tough concept to understand. The multiplication tables are memorized as well as addition and subtractions facts. But division can be particularly sticky. That's when it's great to have a book like 'Bean Thirteen' to help young mathematicians better understand the idea of division.

Ralph and Flora were picking beans for dinner. Ralph thinks the twelve beans they've chosen is enough, but Flora wants one more. Yikes, thinks Ralph, not the dreaded 13th bean! That's an unlucky number. The 13 beans come home anyway, despite Ralph's fears, only to confound the pair as they try to divide the beans equally among dinner guests. First, it's two groups of six but that leaves the unlucky 13th bean by itself. Then it's three piles of four beans but again, the 13th bean is left. Ralph and Flora continue to try to divide the beans equally, only to find that letting the dinner guests help themselves solves the problem.

The illustrations support the text with bright colors and clear views of the various ways the beans are grouped. Grab some beans (jelly beans would be perfect for this time of year!) and try practicing the same groupings Ralph and Flora create. A fun, and edible, way to explain a difficult concept!

How to Build Your Own Country

Written by Valerie Wyatt
Illustrated by Fred Rix
Most enjoyed by 4th through 8th graders

Wouldn't it be awesome to be king or queen of your own country? You declare the eating of spinach be against the law or allow playing games on your Nintendo DS to count as homework. But how would your country make any money? And what would your national anthem be?

Take my advice - check out 'How to Build Your Own Country' and you'll find out all the answers to those questions and more. With colorful, eye-catching illustrations, 'How to Build Your Own Country' is a civics lesson on nation building. It gives very practical and understandable advice on how a nation goes about developing itself, from creating it's own flag and motto to how it populates itself, governs itself, and attracts businesses. With real examples, such as the Principality of Sealand (which I had never heard of and had to research), 'How to Build Your Own Country' is a great read even if you have no plans to start your own country!

Extreme Animals:The Toughest Creatures on Earth

Written by Nicola Davies

Illustrated by Neal Layton

Most enjoyed by 4th through 8th graders

Did you know that wood frogs use sugar as a type of antifreeze? This lowers the point at which their bodies freeze to below zero, allowing them to survive in very cold temperatures.

How about this tidbit - bacteria that live near volcanoes are called thermophiles. They love temperatures that range from 176F to 230F. Now, we humans might like it hot but we sure can't stand that kind of heat!

'Extreme Animals' is full of interesting information about the creatures in the world around us that survive and even thrive in conditions too extreme for people, from Arctic cold to bottom-of-the-ocean heat plumes. Cartoon-like illustrations help emphasize the extremes found in the text. While the text is difficult for younger readers, it's certainly a book that could be read aloud to them. In fact, they'd find that the animals that survive in extreme climates in our world make reality TV show survivors look like wimpy kids!

Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors

Written by Joyce Sidman

Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski

Most enjoyed by poetry lovers of all ages

A poetry book about seasonal colors is perfect for this time of year. We've had our share of snow and bitter cold this winter. As beautiful as the landscape is blanketed by snow, a splash of color is what our eyes search for when it's sunny. Sometimes, it's hard to find. But after reading 'Red Sings from Treetops', I think it will be a little bit easier to spot those colors that are hiding right in front of us.

Beginning with the season of spring, Ms. Sidman describes colors and how they change with each season. White sounds like storms in spring but dazzles in the winter. Green is tired and dusty in fall but is the queen of summer. The imagery created by each color makes readers say 'Yes, that is the way pink is in winter' or 'Yellow really does grow wheels in fall as it goes off to school'. Ms. Sidman creates so many perfect word pictures with her poetry that I think even the youngest of readers or listeners will be able to relate to the text. And they'll delight in the illustrations by Pamela Zagarenski. What joy they contain! Part collage and part painting on wood, they have a sort of spontaneity to them that perfectly reflects the poetry.

I've read 'Red Sings from Treetops' a number of times now and can't get enough of it. I'm glad it starts with the season of spring because it reminds me that despite the cold and snow, it will be here eventually. In the meantime, I can start watching for the colors that will tell me it's just around the corner.

Merry Un-Christmas

Written by Mike Reiss

Illustrated by David Catrow

Most enjoyed by those on Christmas overload

Most kids wish every day could be Christmas. And most parents try to convince those kids that they don't know what they're wishing for. Well, here's a book that will help with that argument.

Noelle gets another pony and a new bike for Christmas. Again. She adds them to the bikes and ponies she got for Christmas yesterday, and the day before and the day before that. You see, Noelle lives in Christmas City, Texmas, where it's Christmas 364 days of the year. But one day of the year is Un-Christmas and Noelle and her family look forward to it with glee. They get to un-decorate the tree, go to school, and anxiously wait for a visit from a chubby man with a sack. Can you guess who that might be?

'Merry Un-Christmas' is a funny look at what life might be like if it really was Christmas every day. And after reading it, I'm thankful that Christmas only comes once a year!

All Kinds of Heinies at the Zoo

Written by Ayun Halliday

Illustrated by Dan Santat

Most enjoyed by zoo lovers of all ages!

Face it - when you go to the zoo, you can't miss them. As a matter of fact, some of them can be quite eye-catching. We cover ours but the animals don't. What am I talking about? Bottoms! Yep, this book is full of them. And if you need a laugh, check this book out. From the mandrill to the newt, there's a picture and name for every posterior in the zoo. But there's only one species that hides their back side and that's us! Ms. Halliday points out that our social customs require us to cover ours while the animals don't have to. What other customs do we have that animals don't? Probably none quite as funny as the one detailed in this book!

The True Gift: A Christmas Story

Written by Patricia MacLachlan

Illustrated by Brian Floca

Most enjoyed by 3rd through 8th graders

Lily and Liam are on their way to Grandma and Grandpa's house for Christmas vacation. They're loaded down with books and a little money with which to buy gifts for each other and family in the small town. As they pass the farm field to turn into the driveway, they spot White Cow standing alone in the field. At one time, Grandma and Grandpa had other cows but they are gone now, sold to people who wanted them for their own herds. Liam is bothered by this. Is White Cow lonely, he asks. Grandpa responds that we can't know what cows think. But Liam is pretty sure White Cow is lonely, and no one should be lonely for Christmas, even a cow.

This is a beautiful story just right for reading and savoring as we kick off the holiday season. With Black Friday behind us, and Cyber Monday upon us, it's easy to get caught up in the gift-giving frenzy of the holidays. Yes, 'The True Gift' is about a gift being given, but this gift is given with the greatest of care and love. And isn't that what the best gifts are sweetened with? Be sure to put 'The True Gift' at the top of your holiday reading list. It's a short reminder of the joy a simple kindness can bring.

Reviewed from library copy.

Dragonbreath

Written and illustrated by Ursula Vernon

Most enjoyed by 2nd through 4th graders

Babymouse, let me introduce you to Danny Dragonbreath. He's a little dragon who will be sharing some of your readership soon. Don't worry, kids will still love you and want to read you over and over. But I predict Danny will be finding a few new friends among our 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade boys.

Danny Dragonbreath has been assigned to write a paper about the ocean. Waiting until the last minute, he throws together something that his teacher doesn't like. When he has to go back to the drawing board and write a real report, he finally does some research. He calls on his cousin, Edward the sea serpent, to take him and his friend Wendell on a fantastic ocean journey. Thanks to special breath mints, Danny and Wendell are able to breath under water for a few hours, long enough to get the information Danny needs to rewrite his paper. Much to his surprise, Danny finds that research is pretty fun, not to mention a little life-threatening once in a while.

On land, Danny has another problem in addition to his paper. The problem is in the form of Big Eddy, a Komodo dragon who likes to bully Danny. Danny's ocean journey gives him ideas not only for his paper but for dealing with Big Eddy perhaps once and for all.

Despite the fact that Danny is not a full-fledged fire breathing dragon, at least not yet, his book will have readers hooked right from the start. There's plenty of action, humor, and likeable characters to keep readers turning the pages. It also encourages kids to stand up to bullies. Despite his fear of Big Eddy, Danny learns there are ways to turn the tables on bullies and he does, with a little help from Wendell. This won't be the last we see of Danny Dragonbreath which makes me happy. His next adventure is called 'Attack of the Ninja Frogs' and I can't wait to read that one!

The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt

Written by Megan McDonald

Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds

Most enjoyed by 1st through 4th graders

Judy Moody and Stink are back in a new adventure that finds them playing pirate. The Moody family is off to Ocrakoke Island for a little fun in the sun. Stink is thrilled because it means he and Judy can fulfill their inner pirate and shiver their timbers all they want. When they find from Pirate Scurvy Sam that there is a real treasure hunt, the two can't resist and join forces to solve the clues and gather pieces of eight. But they get some stiff competition from two other kids who seem hot on the trail of the treasure. Will Judy and Stink find the treasure first? Get ready for a winning ending that proves the treasure of friendship is the best treasure of all!

Guess Again!

Written by Mac Barnett

Illustrated by Adam Rex

Most enjoyed by readers of all ages

Be sure to take the time to read this book with your whole family when it comes home. This is one you don't want to miss.

Each two-page spread is made up of a simple rhyme on one page accompanied by a picture on the other page. Within the picture is a silhouette or object of something described in the rhyme. Think you know what it is? Just turn the page and find out that you need to guess again!

I would imagine that 'Guess Again!' would make a fun writing model for older students. They could write a rhyme describing something, then create a picture with that something in it. The true test would be to share the picture and rhyme with a classmate to see if they could guess what the picture it. This might even be a fun activity to do as a family when Thanksgiving dinner is done.

I'm so glad this book was at the book fair last week. Everyone who's heard it agrees it's a winner!

Sea of the Dead

Written by Julia Durango

Most enjoyed by 4th through 8th graders

Take a close look at the cover of 'Sea of the Dead' before you begin reading. The clothes worn by the characters, the prow of the boat, and the large pyramid structure in the background will help set the time and place for this excellent book.

Kehl is the youngest son of the Warrior Prince. He lives in the shadow of his older brother who is much more skilled at the art of warfare than Kehl. Kehl's interest lies with maps and map making, but as the son of a great warrior, he is expected to follow in his father's footsteps. One evening, after a particularly difficult training session, Kehl is snatched from his bedroom, kidnapped by followers of the Fallen King. For years, Kehl has heard how the Fallen murdered his mother so his hatred of them runs deep. Sailing on the seas with them, though, Kehl learns that all his schooling may have been wrong. Kehl finds himself admiring the Fallen, and begins to question the damage done to the people by his Empire. His true loyalty is tested, though, when he has a chance to escape from his captors. Will he flee or will he stand up to his father and the Empire?

'Sea of the Dead' is a book you don't want to miss. Part historical fiction, part adventure story, it's one that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow Kehl during his kidnapping and rescue. The ending is a bit of a surprise as Kehl finds out the truth about his father, but I won't tell anymore because that will spoil it for you. You'll just have to read 'Sea of the Dead' yourself!

He's Here!

The newest 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' book is now on Zion's library shelves. At least it was, until our two copies were checked out before the end of the day! Titled 'Dog Days', this newest diary from 6th grader Greg Heffley has Greg planning on a video- and TV-filled summer. But his mom has other plans. Will Greg have the summer he dreams of? Stop by the library to put your name on the waiting list for the latest installment from this wimpy kid's life!

Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly

Written by Alan Madison

Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

Most enjoyed by Kindergartners through 3rd Graders

Velma is starting first grade and she wants to make her mark. Everyone remembers her two big sisters for all of the special things they did, like singing beautifully and running very fast. Velma tries to draw attention to herself but her choices get her into a little trouble. Velma is thrilled when Mr. Plexipuss begins a science unit on butterflies. Could learning about butterflies be the very thing to make Velma special? When the class takes a field trip to the Butterfly Conservatory, Velma is able to put her butterfly knowledge to work in a way everyone is sure to remember.

I love Velma's spunk. Here's a first grader who has such enthusiasm it could be contagious. She plunges into learning about butterflies with gusto. You almost get the feeling that she'd have the same excitement even if she were studying slugs. Author Alan Madison has perfectly captured that single-mindedness many youngsters have about their favorite subjects.

Add 'Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly' to a science unit on butterflies or as a family read-aloud before going to a butterfly conservatory. The various caterpillars and butterflies depicted on the book's end papers will give you lots of species to watch for. How many of them can be found here where we live?

The Magical Ms. Plum

Written by Bonny Becker

Illustrated by Amy Portnoy

Most enjoyed by 1st through 4th graders

There is something special about Ms. Plum. Students who have had her in years past smile in a secret way when the topic of Ms. Plum comes up. This year is no different. In fact, Ms. Plum can't wait for the year to start because she knows that this year's class will be the best one ever.

As the first day of school begins, Ms. Plum asks for a volunteer to get her a pencil. Ignoring the hands that are already raised, Ms. Plum chooses Tashala to go into the supply closet for a pencil. But that's not all Tashala returns with. At her heels is a small pony. Tashala would love nothing more than to be a cowgirl and what does every cowgirl need but a horse. The other kids in the class are jealous but when Ms. Plum tells Tashala to put the horse in her desk, Tashala discovers the hard way that keeping a horse is a bit more work than she anticipated.

And then there is quiet Jovi, a student from Africa trying to improve his English. When Jovi is sent into the supply closet for a roll of tape, he returns with tape and a falcon. At first, the class thinks the falcon is pretty cool, but the more it dives at students and makes a nuisance of itself, the more the kids feel it's time for the falcon to go. Just as Brad is about to throw an eraser at the falcon, a voice is heard from the back of the classroom, loudly and clearly. Despite his limited English, Jovi comes up with a solution for handling the falcon that impresses his classmates, both with his thinking and his speaking.

Each child in the class gets to go into the closet on a supply errand for Ms. Plum, but who gets chosen and when is always unexpected. The mystery keeps the students and the reader guessing! As Ms. Plum demonstrates, every student is special and unique and her closet has just what they each need to help build their self-confidence. You'll find yourself wishing you could be in Ms. Plum's class. What animal would follow you out of Ms. Plum's closet?

Candace Fleming is Coming to Woodstock!

This past spring, Zion was fortunate to host the incredibly talented author Candace Fleming. Candace talked about her scrapbook biography of Abraham and Mary Lincoln, titled appropriately enough, The Lincoln's (read my review of the book here). Our junior high students were in awe of the amount of work Candace puts into her books, especially as she showed us the number of rewrites she accumulates as she works to make the book perfect.

At that time, Candace shared the title of her forthcoming book about P.T. Barnum. The book has been released recently, and now she's coming to Woodstock to talk about it! This Saturday, September 19th, you can visit with Candace again when she comes to Read Between the Lynes bookstore on the Square in Woodstock to promote The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P.T. Barnum. Candace will discuss both this book and her Lincoln book at 3PM at the store. This is a great opportunity to hear Candace speak again about how she brings these historic figures to life in such incredible detail. You can be sure I'll be there. Will you join me?

Extra Credit

Written by Andrew Clements

Illustrated by Mark Elliot

Most enjoyed by 4th through 8th Graders

Afghanistan is in the news a lot, and not always favorably. With war reports on the radio and TV almost daily, I suppose, from a young person's perspective, that the country and it's people don't make the best impression. But within Afghanistan are children, and many of those children have the same dreams and desires as our American children do. This can be forgotten among those daily war reports. 'Extra Credit' will change that and give young readers a new way to think of the people of Afghanistan.

Abby Carson is on the verge of being held back from sixth grade. Oh, she's plenty smart, it's just that homework isn't important to her. Spending time in the woods behind her farm house and climbing the rock wall in the gym mean much more that math problems or science worksheets. But ignoring all that work puts Abby behind, leading her teachers to suggest she repeat 6th grade. As an extra-credit assignment to help move her forward, Abby offers to become a pen-pal with a girl in Afghanistan and to share the letters with her classmates.

On the other side of the world, Abby's request is discussed among the elders of a small village outside Kabul. The best writer in the village is a young boy named Sadeed, but it is improper for a boy to write letters to a girl. So the elders decide the have Sadeed's younger sister Amira write the letters with Sadeed's help. But as the first letters are exchanged, both Sadeed's and Abby's eyes are opened to the world beyond their small towns. Soon, the project that seemed to only be more work, takes on special meaning and an importance of it's own.

At the heart of this book is the story of two young people getting to know each other over thousands of miles and discovering that they share many of the same dreams. Despite cultural differences, they are able to forge a friendship that lasts for a short while but stays with both forever.

There will be lots to talk about and think about when you finish 'Extra Credit' - Afghanistan, it's culture and history, as well as our role in shaping it today and in the future. I wouldn't be surprised if the book also results in an increase in readers wanting pen pals of their own. And wouldn't that be a great way to learn about another part of the world?

The Perfect Nest

Written by Catherine Friend

Illustrated by John Manders

Most enjoyed by Preschoolers through 3rd Grade

Cat loves omelets. He loves them so much, he decides to build the perfect nest in order to attract a chicken. Once he has a chicken, he knows he'll have an endless supply of eggs for omelets. But his nest doesn't just attract a chicken. Along come a goose and duck who also think the nest is perfect. Cat gets his eggs all right, but he gets a bit of a surprise along with them.

'The Perfect Nest' is just right as a read-aloud for younger readers. There's lots of opportunity to change voices between the characters. In fact, there's even a chance to use your best French accent when reading the duck's part! While you're reading the text, the illustrations will give your listener lots to look at. The character's facial expressions are a hoot. And the perfect nest Cat creates? Well, take at look at the one in the book then try creating your own. What would your perfect nest look like?