The Arrival
By Shaun Tan

Most enjoyed by 4th grade and up

The other day, I posted about one of two amazing books on Zion's library shelves this year. The first was ‘The Invention of Hugo Cabret’ by Brian Selznick. The second title, and today's feature, is ‘The Arrival" by Shaun Tan.

Imagine leaving your home and family to live in a new country in search of a better life. In the new country, you must find a place to live and a job. You know no one. The food is different. The people are not always friendly. You don’t speak the language. You don't know how to get places, can't read road signs, and rely on the kindness of total strangers. Yet you want to survive in this land that promises so much. Along the way, you make mistakes, miss your homeland and make new friends, many who are making the same journey as you.

Now imagine telling your story, but using only pictures. How do you show people your feelings - the fear, the kindness of strangers, the frustration, the homesickness? Shaun Tan is able to convey all of this through his wonderful artwork. While some might call this a graphic novel, it really isn't. It's an art book that happens to portray the story of a immigrant in a way that makes it meaningful to anyone. Even those of us who have never left America to travel to a new country can share the main character's experiences.

This is not a book to be picked up, read, and set down. You'll want to keep coming back to it over and over. Each time, you'll see, and feel, something new.

Lawn Boy

by Gary Paulsen

Most enjoyed by 3rd through 6th graders

We are blessed to have a 4th grade teacher here at Zion who does a novel study of Gary Paulsen's Newbery Honor-winning book "Hatchet". Her students love this unit - they love the book, they love the project they do in tandem with the unit. They can't get enough of Gary Paulsen after they finish "Hatchet". And it's for those students, and any other fans of Gary Paulsen's books, that this review is directed. "Lawn Boy" is not Gary's usual backwoods survival story. It's more of a laugh-out-loud-funny survival story set in the suburbs.

Our narrator, Lawn Boy, receives an old lawn mower from his grandmother on his 12th birthday. A neighbor sees him mowing the family yard and asks Lawn Boy to mow his lawn for $20. As more neighbors ask for his help, Lawn Boy soon finds himself walking around with pockets full of cash. Enter Arnold, a stockbroker who lives down the street. He offers to be Lawn Boy's investment advisor. Before long, Lawn Boy is worth thousands and has a crew of twelve workers to do the mowing and landscaping for him. But things really heat up when Lawn Boy sponsors a prize fighter named Joey Pow.

Enjoy this book. It's wild, outrageous, and very funny. You'll want to start your own lawn service when you're done!

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

By Brian Selznick

Most enjoyed by 3rd graders and up

"The Invention of Hugo Cabret" has been the most popular book on our fiction shelves this school year. Our fifth grade reading club read it and loved it. In fact, several parents read it and loved it, too. It is one of two books published this year that demonstrate that authors are constantly creating new ways of telling stories. Later this week, you'll read about the second book in our collection that deserves a look because of the way the author shares his story.

Inspired by old silent movies, author Brian Selznick has created a unique book in "The Invention of Hugo Cabret". Part graphic novel, part storybook, it tells the story of young Hugo, orphaned when his father dies in a museum fire. Hugo has been living in a Paris train station, struggling to repair the automaton his father died trying to save. Hugo repairs the clocks in the station which allows him to keep an eye on the small toy shop from which he steals parts to repair the automaton. Hugo hopes the automaton will reveal a secret message once it is fixed. The toy shop is run by a young girl and her grandfather, who catches Hugo stealing and puts him to work. As Hugo gets to know the grandfather, he realizes that the old man has a secret he's hiding that has to do with the automaton. Hugo hopes that by discovering the old man's secret, he'll finally be able to complete the automaton and discover it's hidden message.

What makes 'Hugo' unique is the way the story is told. Brian Selznick outlined the story, then decided which parts could be told in pictures instead of words. Each picture section is about 30 pages long and seamlessly carries the story forward, connecting to the next narrative section. As the illustrated pages turn, the reader gets the sensation of watching a movie, as the focus of a series of pictures zooms in on one aspect of a setting. While the book is over 500 pages long, it is a quick read. And, surprisingly, not intimidating to most readers. In fact, the combination of story and pictures is what makes this book so appealing.

Brian has created an awesome website for "The Invention of Hugo Cabret". On the site, check out the movie link to see the original silent movie 'A Trip to the Moon' from which Brian got his inspiration.

Parents, if you're looking for a book to give for Christmas, "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" would be an excellent choice. It's appeal is greatest for 3rd graders on up.

We currently have a waiting list for this book. Stop by the library and add your name to the list so you don't miss this fascinating book.

Labels! We've Got Labels!

Thanks to a great suggestion by a thoughtful 8th grader, our posts now can be searched by grade level. Note that this is not the same thing as reading level. Grade level simply indicates the age group of readers that might be interested in a particular book. Be sure to check out the book itself to make sure it's a reading level you're comfortable with.

Labels are displayed at the bottom of posts. Click on the label that interests you to find all related postings.

The All-I'll Ever-Want Christmas Doll

by Patricia McKissack

Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

Most appreciated by all ages

"Christmas always came to our house, but Santy Claus only showed up once in a while." It's the Depression, times are tough, but Nellie won't give up hope that this year, Santy Claus will bring her a Baby Betty doll. Her sisters are sure she'll be disappointed. On Christmas morning, Daddy has a special surprise for all of his girls. It's just what Nellie wanted, but the beautiful doll must be shared. "It's mine!" Nellie declares, causing her sisters to play without her. But Baby Betty is not quite the playmate Nellie had hoped she'd be. Nellie finds that sometimes it's more fun to share than to keep something all to herself.

The lesson of this Christmas story is simple. It doesn't overwhelm the joy the sisters find in playing together. The watercolor illustrations are warm and set the time period perfectly. Enjoy this reminder about gifts and their worth with your family.

Elephant and Piggie Books
by Mo Willems
Most enjoyed by preschool through 2nd grade


Mo Willems, of 'Don't Let The Pigeon Drive the Bus' fame, has created a new series of beginner readers that can't be missed. There are four titles in the 'Elephant and Piggie' series that are perfect for beginner readers to read on their own. The vocabulary is simple. Words are used repetitively and are easy to sound out. And, most important of all, Elephant and Piggie are two characters to read about over and over.

In "There is a Bird on Your Head', Elephant discovers that a bird has landed on his head. Soon it's two birds. Actually, as Piggie kindly points out, they are two birds in love who soon start making a nest on Elephant's head. But Elephant does not want birds on his head or a nest either. Piggie, being his friend, helps him get the birds off of his head, but not quite with the results he expected!

Everyone knows pigs can't fly but not Piggie. He wants to fly despite Elepahnt's gentle reminders that pigs can't. In 'Today I Will Fly', Piggie gets the help of Elephant and another friend to learn that sometimes, maybe everyone can fly a bit.

Other titles in the series include 'My Friend is Sad' and 'I Am Invited to a Party!' and provide just as much entertainment as the two books described above. Parents, if you're looking for some fun books to help your child increase their reading skills, the Elephant and Piggie books will do the trick.

Happy 50th Birthday, Mr Grinch!

It’s hard to believe but the Grinch is celebrating the big 5-0 this year. He hasn’t changed one bit, has he? Let’s hope not! The Grinch is a Christmas staple. Can you imagine celebrating Christmas and NOT watching ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’? So as we begin the countdown to Christmas, let’s say ‘Happy Birthday’ to the Grinch. May he continue to delight and entertain us for another 50 years!

But wait! Have you read the Grinch, watched the Grinch, and still can't get enough? Check out the fun Grinch website in Seussville. There's games and activities all about our favorite grump. Why, you can even decorate your Who tree with Grinch ornaments you print and color!