Caps For Sale
Author: Esphyr Slobodkina
Publisher: Harper Collins
Copyright: 1940
Pages: 40
Reading Level: Ages 3-7
Genre: Folk Tales
Rating: ***

Summary:
There once was a peddler, but unlike other peddlers he carried his wares on his head verse his back. He sold caps. Brown ones, and blue ones, and red ones, gray ones, and his own checkered cap at the very bottom. One day he was walking and calling through town “fifty cents a cap” but no one wanted caps. So he sat down next to a tree and took a little nap. When he woke up he found that he only had his checkered cap left on his head. He looked everywhere for the caps, when he finally look up. What did he see? A bunch of monkeys in the tree, and each wearing a cap! He didn’t know what to do. He told them to give the caps back but they just made noises back at him. He stomped his feet, so they stomped theirs, he yelled, and they yelled. Well finally he gave up and threw his cap on the ground. Suddenly a bunch of caps soared to the ground. So the peddler picked them up, stacked them on his head and headed back toward town, calling for “caps, fifty cents a cap”.

Who would benefit from reading this?
Most kids would enjoy this book; I suppose if one child had a particular fondness for caps they might especially enjoy it.

Potential problems/conflicts:
I don’t see any problems in this book. None.

My reaction:
I remember my grandma reading this book to me. The best part out it is the pictures I think. They aren’t the bright colors that you think of when you think of an awesome picture book, they are more neutral tones, but they still pop. Kids can learn their colors and to count the number of caps he has. A classic book that has been around for generations

The Gingerbread Man
Author: Jim Aylesworth
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Copyright: 1998
Pages: 30
Reading Level: 3.8
Genre: Fairytale/Fiction
Rating: ****

Summary:
The gingerbread man, as the story goes there was a little old woman and a little old man they decided to make a gingerbread man. Well they carved him out and put him in the oven, and when they could smell his sweet scent they opened up the oven and OUT JUMPED THE GINGERBREAD MAN! And he ran! He ran as fast as he could, and with each person he passed the taunted them. He ran past eh butcher, the cow, the sow and after each one he would yell “Run, run as fast as you can, you can’t catch me I’m the gingerbread man!” As they shouted for him to come back he would yell back “No! No! I won’t come back I’d rather run than be your snack!” And this continued until he came to the clever fox, who acted hard of hearing which brought the gingerbread man closer, then caught him off guard and snatched him up and ate him! And that ended the tale of the gingerbread man.

Who would benefit from reading this?
All kids should know this story along with the traditional fairy tales I think. It rhymes and has a sing song type rhythm to the story so all kids will enjoy having it read to them.

Potential problems/conflicts:
The gingerbread man gets eaten in the end, which might frighten some kids.

My reaction:
I love this story. I am always captivated by the rhythm of the story. I want to chant right along with the gingerbread man when he yells back to all the people. This story also has some very good pictures. The little gingerbread man’s face has a lot of personality as do the other characters. Great art and a classic tale that is fun to hear over and over again! There is also a recipe on the back so you can make your own gingerbread man...an added bonus no doubt!

Sideways Stories From Wayside School
Author: Louis Sachar
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Copyright: 1985
Pages: 118
Reading Level: 3
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Rating: *****

Summary:
Wayside school is all sorts of crazy. Not only was the school built up instead of as one level, so it is thirty stories high, but the teachers on the thirtieth floor are a little crazy as are the kids. Their first teacher Mrs. Gorf used to turn everyone into apples for everything from sneezing, to asking a question. But one day as she was about to turn them all into apples one of them held up a mirror and she turned herself into an apple and another teacher ate her by accident. Each chapter is than about a student in the class from Joe who didn’t know how to count, Deedee to the fact that there is no Mrs. Zarves because there is not nineteenth story. It talks about each kid: Joe, Sharie, Todd, Bebe, Calvin, Myron, Maurecia, Paul, Dana, Jason, Rondi, Sammy, Deedee, D.J., John, Leslie, Kathy, Ron, The three Erics, Allison, Dameon, Jenny, Terrence, Joy, Nancy, Stephen and finally Louis. Each student has a unique thing about them and something that will make you laugh. There is now way to summarize all of them up into one page, so you will just have to read the book yourself!


Who would benefit from reading this?
This is a good book for kids who can get bored with the same story line and a plot that takes a while to get to. This book is almost like 30 mini stories, instead of just one.

Potential problems/conflicts:
The kids can be harsh at time to each other and the teachers can be stern but there is nothing too outrageous…well outrageous in the sense that would cause a problem.

My reaction:
I loved this book as a kid and I love it now. It is just plain hilarious. From the first page till the last I am laughing. I still to this day can’t get over Mrs. Gorf turning them all into apples and then she gets eaten. It is one of the most entertaining starts to a book! A fun read and great for kids because each chapter is only a couple pages and can be picked up and started again each night without having to remember much about what you read last night. A very fun and funny book no doubt!

Flat Stanley’s Worldwide Adventures:
The African Safari Discovery
Author: Josh Greenhut
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Copyright: 2011
Pages: 91
Reading Level: 4
Genre: Adventure
Rating: *****

Summary:
Stanley is flat. Smooched by his bulletin board he is now only a half inch thick. Hearing about a skull found in Africa that is flat Stanley, his Father, and his younger brother Arthur. On the plane Stanley rode with the baggage because he is so thin, and it was cheaper. Once in Africa they found a young boy and girl whose father was a pilot and flew them to the site. On the way there though, he got a call that there was a brush fire and they had to parachute out. With only two parachutes and three people, Stanley made his way down one his own. Though he tooth picked into the grass, he was fine and no damage was done. His flat factor had saved his life. On their way to the dig site the saw giraffes, zebras, elephants, a lion and more. With their feet getting tired they came upon a canoe. The nice natives they met let them borrow it to finish their journey. The thing was, the boys were fighting over the paddle and it got lost in the river, so they had to row with Stanley the rest of the way. When they made it to the dig site at nightfall they found that the skull wasn’t human like Stanley had hoped, it was a fish! Stanley was disappointed but his family said they loved him just the way he was and wouldn’t change a thing. Then they headed back home, Stanley and Arthur reenacting their safari adventures.

Who would benefit from reading this?
This is a fun book for kids! It is hilarious and a quick and not too difficult read as well. So fun….a great book for boys. As well as those kids who don’t quite fit in.

Potential problems/conflicts:
Kids may worry about becoming flat from something falling on them, and think that people can be mailed places like Stanley has been.

My reaction:
I had never heard of the Flat Stanley books but they are hilarious!! I think all kids should read them. This is a book I can see boys that don’t think reading is fun getting into. There are several very comical parts, and yet a good moral at the end of the story. I would very much recommend the Flat Stanley books!

Just Going to The Dentist
Author: Mercer Mayer
Publisher: Scholastic
Copyright: 1990
Pages: 23
Reading Level: 1.8
Genre: Picture Book
Rating: *****

Summary:
Critter is going to the dentist. He didn’t want to go, but his mother took him anyways. When they got there they had to wait, so Critter go to play with toys and read some books and he saw a girl with braces that he thought looked very cool. So far it wasn’t too bad. Then the nurse took him to the back and the machine looked like a spaceship but the nurse let him SPIT! That was cool, not scary at all. Then they took some xrays and the dentist looked in his mouth with a mirror on a stick. When he was all done he told Critter he had a cavity but that they could fix it right there. So Critter wouldn’t feel the drilling though the dentist had to give him a shot…so Critter closed his eyes and…he hardly felt a thing! His mouth was numb, and the tools were loud but he didn’t feel a thing. On his way out he even got a free sucker. Going to the dentist wasn’t so bad after all, only thing was it made him tired.

Who would benefit from reading this?
Kids who are afraid of the dentist! This book explains everything that happens at the dentist and takes the scary factor out of it.

Potential problems/conflicts:
The only problem I see is that well the book is kind of a lie, it does hurt to get a shot and you do feel, but kids don’t need to know that:)

My reaction:
I love the Critter books! I don’t know any kid that doesn’t. They are very informative and make new experiences so much less frightening for kids. If you haven’t read these books you should! There is nothing more to say than they are fun. They also have fun pictures!

Amelia Bedelia’s Masterpiece
Author: Herman Parish
Publisher: Harper Collins
Copyright: 2007
Pages: 64
Reading Level: Ages 4-8
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Rating: ***

Summary:
Amelia Bedelia came to the art museum to help Mrs. Rogers. She was more trouble than help though it appeared to the art director. She almost touched a piece of art, and she completely cleaned up a room of modern art because she thought it was messy. She learned what reproductions were and even bought a replication bust…which is a statue of the head, neck, and shoulders. On her way through the museum she put her replication in place of the original bust, so that she could clean it and went on her way. On her way through the museum she noticed an art thief. She spotted him and told a painter in the museum. Along with this she also discovered Drew, a school boy who she let pain his art on one of the bare walls. Well she saved the day by getting the painting back, discovering a new painter. But little did everyone know she also caught the thief. But she let him go if he promised do never do it again, and he did and when the new part of the museum opened up with Drew’s work, a painting of her was delivered by you know who.

Who would benefit from reading this?
Amelia Bedelia series is fun for most kids. It has all sorts of different adventures. I would gear this more towards elementary aged kids.

Potential problems/conflicts:
This book was kind of complicated for a child to follow. It also made stealing seem okay and with no consequences if you didn’t do it again.

My reaction:
I loved to read this series when I was a kid. This book I wasn’t the biggest fan of but others are fun to read. They are fairly fast reads, but long enough for older kids. A good series, but there are other books in the series that I was more impressed with than this one.

Chocolate Fever
Author: Robert Kimmel Smith
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Copyright: 1972
Pages: 93
Reading Level: 4.5
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Rating: ****

Summary:
Henry Green loves chocolate. He eats it for breakfast, lunch, dinner and in-between. Instead of syrup on his pancakes he has chocolate and chocolate on his fries and so on. Well one morning like all other Henry was eating his breakfast of chocolate and getting ready for school, grabbed some kisses on the way out the door and headed to school but on the way there he noticed he felt funny. He felt funny all day, and as he was sitting in class he noticed little brown spots on his arms that weren’t there in the morning. He showed his teacher and she finally took him to Mrs. Kimmelfarber’s, the school nurse, when she saw more brown spots growing before her eyes. Well the spots continued to show up, and then they grew, and then they started making a popping sound! So the school nurse rushed Henry to the ER. Once there Dr. Fargo and many other doctors checked Henry out. They poked the spots and looked at them, and when Dr. Fargo got the lab results back do you know what it was….chocolate! The bumps and boils were full of chocolate. Dr. Fargo called it chocolate fever. Well Henry couldn’t take the poking and looks anymore so he ran, he ran right out of that hospital until he passed a school yard and headed right to the freeway where Mac a nice truck driver picked him up. He told Mac about everything and Mac talked some sense into him. They decided they would head home once Mac made his last stop. But before they could make it back they were hijacked! The men thought that Mac was carrying furs, but all he had were chocolates in his big truck. So the men took them to their hideout, but as they were planning on what to do with the chocolates a pack of dogs came in a swarmed them…all of them after Henry, licking him all over. This then brought the local police, and the thieves were hauled off to jail. Then Mac and Henry went to make their last delivery. Here they met Mr. Cane, the candy shop owner. Once he saw Henry he asked him about his spots and his love for chocolate. Then he told him a story about a boy who had the same thing happen! That boy was Mr. Cane. He told Henry the cure, the opposite of chocolate, so vanilla…and to promise to only eat chocolate ever now and then. It was a pleasure to have chocolate and one should not indulge in it all the time. Henry then went back home, had a good night’s rest and the next morning instead of chocolate on his pancake he had…cinnamon. He wondered if you could ever get cinnamon fever.

Who would benefit from reading this?
This book is just a fun book for all kids. It would also be a great book for kids that are very picky eaters, to encourage them to try new things. Fun for all ages.

Potential problems/conflicts:
Though Mac the truck driver was nice, it is not a good idea for kids to think it is safe for just anyone to pick them up off the side of the road.

My reaction:
I thought this book was hilarious! I had no idea what it was about before I read it but I loved it. All the characters add to the book so well and you can’t help but feel for Henry. A hilarious book, I plan on reading this to my kids no doubt! Read this book…it is a quick and fun read for kids. I would be a fun read aloud book.

The Worst Witch Saves the Day
Author: Jill Murphy
Publisher: Puffin Books
Copyright: 2005
Pages: 156
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Genre: Children’s Fantasy
Rating: ***

Summary:
Mildred Hubble and her friends are in their third year at Miss Cackles Witches Academy. This year they have a new teacher. She has frizzy red hair, a high pitched voice, and has no rules in class other than to leave her alone. They all find it very strange and as usual, Mildred is always finding herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. No matter what she does, it seems things always go wrong for her. One the first day of school she tried her friend’s new curling iron and go it all tangled in her hair. Another, Ethel, her arch enemy came in to “help” and cut off all her long hair to get it untangled! Mildred was sad and horrified. So the next day in potions class their new teacher Ms. Granite said to look over spells and do practice any they wanted. So when Mildred found one on re-growth she tested it out! That night she put the potion in her hair, and before she knew it her hair was down past her legs, and out the window, under the bed, and kept growing. Ms. H.B had to come up and put a spell on it to stop growing and cut Mildred’s hair back to the length it originally was. That wasn’t the end of it though, the next her broom broke, her cat go stuck on the roof and Ms. Granite didn’t give her cat back! So that night, she went to get Tabby. As she opened the door to Ms. Granites room, she heard a cackle and saw that Ms. Granite wasn’t who she thought, the was the academies director Ms. Cackles evil twin and planned to take over the school that morning at 2 am, and turn everyone into snails. She then shoved Mildred into the closet and went to take a nap. Mildred had to save the day, so she turned herself into an ant and went and woke her friends up. Though it took quite a while they finally were able to understand what she was saying, turn her back into Mildred and go and stop Ms. Granite. They went downstairs and saved Ms. Cackle just as her sister was about to turn her into a snail, and instead turned Ms. Granite into one. They then stop the evil withes that came to take over the school and turn them into snails one by one as they come in the door. So Mildred turned out to be not such a bad witch after all and saved the day!

Who would benefit from reading this?
This is a fun book for kids, more girls than boys though. Mildred seems to get into a lot of trouble, and most kids can relate to that. A fun read with lots of humor.

Potential problems/conflicts:
If you don’t like anything having to do with witch craft this would not be a good book for you or your child. One of the characters is also a bully…which does some very unkind and snotty things to Mildred.

My reaction:
I am not a fan of fantasy but I enjoy this book. Mildred has a fun quirky personality and I could relate to her with things not always going as well as she had hoped. I loved the friendship between the three young witches and how they are always there to stand up for each other. A fun read, and also some pictures to give you an even better idea of what the scene might look like.

It’s Okay to Be Different
Author: Todd Parr
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
Copyright: 2001
Pages: 30
Reading Level: 1.5
Genre: Self esteem & Individuality Fiction
Rating: ****

Summary:
A book all about it being okay to be different…it is okay: to be missing a tooth, to be different sizes, to need help, to have a different nose, to be different colors, to wear glasses, to have feelings, to say no, to spill, to be embarrassed, to dance, to come in last, to be to have different moms and dads, to be adopted, to be nice, to lose mittens, to get mad, to do something for yourself, to have different kinds of friends, to make a wish. It’s okay to be different; we are all different and all special and important because we are us! IT’S OKAY TO BE DIFFERENT!

Who would benefit from reading this?
All kids should read this book or one like it. It shows kids that we may be different and no one is the same and we have feelings and mess up and more, but that is it is okay. We are each special and important.

Potential problems/conflicts:
The only problems would be if kids don’t have a book like this one read to them.

My reaction:
I loved the message of this book. It was a quick read and had fun pictures for kids, and of course none of the pictures were standard pictures either. It not only shows kids its okay to be different, but some of the differences out there. I think it is great to read kids books like this from a young age so the learn it is okay to be different; we are all special and unique.

Viking Ships at Sunrise
Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Publisher: Scholastic
Copyright: 1998
Pages: 71
Reading Level: 3
Genre: Adventure
Rating: ****

Summary:
The brother and sister do-o are at it again. This time off to Ireland to save the Serpents Magna, they have to be careful though because Vikings sail the waters. Arriving in Ireland, back in the dark ages they are surrounded by fog when suddenly a rope is dropped. Climbing up the big steps with the help of the robe they are met by a kind monk. Trusting him they show him the library cards and he welcomes them to the monastery. He leads them in a shows them the room where all the monks are working on books. Approaching one monk the kids ask about the book they are looking for and he shows it to them. Handing the book to them, they go to leave. As they are just about to enter the magic tree house and return home, the spot Viking ships off in the waters and they have to warn the monks so they are not taken as slaves. Climbing back up the big rocks they warn the monks. The monks grab their precious books and run to their hiding place, thanking them for the warning. But the kids can’t make it back to the tree house because the Vikings are now on the shore. Sneaking around them and hiding in one of the Viking ships, they are suddenly going out to sea. With no way back and the shore slipping farther and farther away the kids call for help. Just then a mighty sea creature springs from the water, and pushes them back to shore. Back on shore they are spotted by the Vikings, but they run to the tree house and are off in a whirlwind before and transported back to present time before they can catch them. The Serpents Magna is now safe, and they kids can head back home before their parents even get up.

Who would benefit from reading this?
This is a fun adventure book for any elementary aged kid. There are numerous different adventures and you learn a little bit about history at the same time.

Potential problems/conflicts:
The Vikings threaten to take the monks as slaves. The books can also have a large suspense factor to them, which may scare some children.

My reaction:
I think these books are fun for kids. They are not too long, but not too short at the same time. They allow the kid to feel a part of the adventure as well as learn about history at the same time. There is nothing offensive and cruel in the books and it shows a nice bond that a brother and sister can have when they work together.

Sallie Gal
Author: Shelia P. Moses
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Copyright: 2007
Pages: 148
Reading Level: 3-5
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Rating: ***

Summary:
Sallie Gal loved to double dutch and do anything but work out in the fields. But with her Daddy off at war and her Mother working hard Sallie had to work in the fields all summer to help pay for her school clothes. More than anything else there, there was one thing Sallie Gal wanted, ribbons for her hair. Her cousin and best friend Wild Cat always had new dress and hair ribbons to match. So Sallie Gal and Wild Cat set up a lemonade stand so they could earn the two dollars that the ribbons for the Wall-a-Kee man (traveling salesman). But coming up with two dollars was a lot harder than Sallie Gal had planned. They only made fifteen cents a day on lemonade, and after breaking her Mothers pitcher she now owed her mother two dollars for the new pitcher and fifty cents for the sugar. She felt like she would never get her hair ribbons in time for the first day of school. Wild Cat had offered to let her borrow some of her ribbons but Sallie Gal’s mom would not allow any charity from anyone. She wanted her to earn the money herself. Finally going to the nice lady down the streets house Sallie Gal earns twenty five cents a week split between her and Wild Cat. The time for school to start is coming, but Sallie Gal doesn’t have the money yet for her ribbons. The wall-a-kee man seeing how hard she had worked gave her some ribbons though as a gift, but once her mother found out she made her return them and she couldn’t play outside the rest of the day. The next day was her birthday though. And despite everything that had gone wrong, it turned out to be a great birthday. She got a new baseball, her favorite lemon cake, a double dutch rope, perfume for the wall-a-kee man and the lady she worked for, and three dollars from her dad, so she could finally buy her ribbons she had wanted for so long! The day ended well with double dutch in the front yard, good cake to eat, and ribbons bouncing in her hair!

Who would benefit from reading this?
This is a good book for kids learning to make their own choices and learning the importance of work. Not everything is going to just be given to us our whole lives.

Potential problems/conflicts:
Sallie Gal does keep a secret from her mom about the ribbons so the issue of lying comes up. It also encourages no one to take charity from anyone…which is more an issue of pride I think and could be conflict for kids to learn that.

My reaction:
This book was alright I thought. I did not like that Sallie Gal’s mom would not take any form of charity from anyone. If someone wants to give you something because they see you working hard or your friend want to let you borrow something that you can’t afford at that time I think that is okay. I do like the lesson of hard work and consequences though that is taught in this book.

A Single Shard
Author: Linda Sue Park
Publisher: Yearling
Copyright: 2001
Pages: 148
Reading Level: 6.2
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: ****

Summary:
Tree-ear is an orphan. Brought to the potter’s village after his parents died of fever, they found his relative had moved and the temple was full, so he was left with the man under the bridge they called Crane-man. The monks only intended for him to be there for a short while but when they went to get him he clung to Crane-man would leave, and they have been together ever since living under the bridge. Crane-man had a bad leg, but that didn’t stop him from hunting for food and caring for Tree-ear. As Tree-ear got older he loved to go into the city and watch the potters work, especially one named Min.
One day Min didn’t show up to make his pots on the day he usually did, so Tree-ear took the opportunity to go into his shop and take a closer look at his work he had so long admired. As he was looking at one though, Min came in and being scared Tree-ear dropped the box and broke the lid. As his payment for the box, Tree-ear agreed to work for min for nine days. Hoping that one day Min would teach him how to make pots. He was in for a different story though. Each day min had him go into the forest and chop wood for the kiln in the center of the city. He did this for nine day. On the tenth day he returned though, and he continued to work for Min. Each day was filled with various tasks, from wood cutting, to cutting the clay from the riverbeds to draining and taking the pots to be fired. Tree-ear loved to watch Min work. So each day he would come and work for him as an apprentice. Another upside was that each day Min’s wife would feed him lunch. He would save half for Crane-man each day. As the days went on he found that the bowl he placed under a rock half full would always be full again when he went to retrieve it. Well the time came the Kings master potter went around to find people to have commission. The city was in a riot. Tree-ear helped Min to bring his pots for showing, though the master pottery admired greatly the fine work of Min, another potter had done inlay work on his pots which had never been seen before. So Min was told that the master potter would love to see his work and that if Min would make his pots with inlay work, and bring it to the master potter in the Kings court, then he may have a commissions. Since Min was old Tree-ear volunteered for the job. That next fall after many long days of work, Tree-ear left Crane-man and set out to make his journey to the Kings court with the pots. Along the way though, taking it one hill one valley at time as Crane-man had said, Tree-ear was robbed and they broke the pots. Determined to take courage like the story Crane-man had told him, he found a piece of one of the pots that showed the fine inlay work, and brought it to the master potter. The master potter saw the fine workmanship and offered Min a commission and sent Tree-ear back to the potter’s village with the news. Returning with such good news for Min, Tree-ear was struck with devastating news. While he was gone, Crane-man had died. When they found his body clutched in his hand was the little monkey Tree-ear had made him as a parting gift. Min and his wife then took Tree-ear in, renamed his as their own, and like every father and son, Min began to teach him the trade of the potter. Going to cut his wood for his own wheel, Tree-ear thought of the pot he would work to perfect in remembrance of his long lost friend Crane-man. There is in Korea a great vase called the vase of “a thousand cranes” the artist is unknown.

Who would benefit from reading this?
This is a great book for all those who love history. It is a good coming of age book as well with lots of great life lessons on morals and hard work shared between Crane-man and Tree-ear.

Potential problems/conflicts:
There is a scene of violence when Tree-ear is robbed. Tree-ear can also be treated harshly by Min and others in the town because he is an orphaned.

My reaction:
This book was surprisingly pleasant, and when Crane-man died, I cried with Tree-ear. There are lots of great life lessons on morals and doing what is right shared between Tree-ear and Crane-man. It also teaches the value of hard work. A great way to learn a little more about history, but in a more personal way, also a good coming of age book as well.

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy
Author: Gary Schmidt
Publisher: Laurel-Leaf
Copyright: 2004
Pages: 217
Reading Level: 5.5
Genre: Children’s Historical Fiction
Rating: *****

Summary:
Turner Buckminster is the son of a minister. He and his family are moved from Boston to Phippsburg, Main to reside over a the First Congregational Church. From day one, Turner liked nothing about it. The other kids mocked him, and they didn’t even play baseball right. From that point on, Turner seemed to hit a downward spiral of bad luck, always ending up with blood on his shirt and late for dinner. Sentenced to playing the organ for elderly Mrs. Cobb the rest of the summer Turner didn’t like how things were. He just wanted to light out for the territories. One day though, he found himself of the Main water front looking out to an Island, Magla Island where all the “outcasts” of the town lived. As he was practicing hitting rocks a young black girl came up to him, Lizzie Bright. And from the moment she scared him half to death and made that rock fall and smash his nose, they were friends. They spent hours down at the water hitting rocks, digging for clams and rowing across to Magla Island. That is until the town saw he was socializing with a colored girl, and he was forbidden to go down there anymore. That didn’t stop Turner though. Lizzie was the one thing that made him happy. One day though as they were playing Lizzie fell and hit her head, trying to get her across to Magla Island the tides got the better of him, and they were swept out to sea. There Turner almost touched a whale. Though he did not touch it, he locked eyes with it. And there was something in that whales eyes telling him something. Life goes on, and Turner continues to do his service of playing the Organ for Mrs. Cobb but one day he invites Lizzie. And as time goes on Mrs. Cobb leaves the back door open for Lizzie. Things in Phippsburg are off though. The town did not bring the minister to preach to them, but to preach to him. They were a “green shutters” town and they wouldn’t have anyone being different. Turner stands up to all of it. When the towns people want to kick the people off Magla Island he stands against them. When he inherits Mrs. Cobbs house after she passes he wants to give it to the Lizzie and the family she is staying with after her grandfathers death. In the beginning no one is with Turner, but the end Mrs. Cobb as well as his parents stood beside him. The see the man he has become and the courage he has to stand up for what he knows is right. In the end, Turners father is killed by the sheriff for standing up for Turner and the people of Magla, as well as Lizzie. He takes in the Hurds who had been so cruel to him and they all live in Mrs. Cobbs home she left to him. Turner we see go from a boy to a man in this novel. As he learns to see straight as Lizzie has always told him, and learns the wisdom of the whales. A heart wrenching and fiction based tale of racism and morals at its best.

Who would benefit from reading this?
This is a great book for all those learning about history and what the USA really used to be like. It is also a good coming of age book, and teaching kids how to stand up for themselves and make their own decisions.

Potential problems/conflicts:
There is a lot of prejudice and racism in this book. As well as some negative images put on church goers, and just plain evil. There are some are things that are gut wrenching, but its history like it or not.

My reaction:
In the beginning it was hard from me to get into the book. I thought it was just about a boy complaining about having to move to a new town and people expecting things from him as the minister’s son. But as the book went on it turned out to be so much more than that. This book confronts racism and children’s rights. Standing up for what’s right despite the consequences and more. I can’t see this being a book for children, I see it more as a middle school read at the youngest, but it is a very eye opening and touching book. We need more Turners and Lizzie’s out there. A good book if you want to see how the world really can be right in our own country. This book deserves every award it has received. Well written!

How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightening
Author: Rosalyn Schanzer
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Copyright: 2003
Pages: 40
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Genre: Children’s Non-Fiction
Rating: ****

Summary:
Ben Franklin really did steal lightening, but that was not the only thing he did. He was a swimmer, politician, writer, inventor and more. He loved to help people. In fact he is the one we have to thank for starting public libraries and mail dropped off to our homes! He also wrote almanacs, started a fire department, and a free academy. The fire department was such a blessing to the people because fires were a common site in town whenever lightening would strike. Burning houses to the ground and killing many. Franklin along with helping other loved to invent! He loved books and his library was so large that he had to invent a char that when you pulled the seat up stairs came out to reach his books along with a long wooden pull to grab books off high shelves. He also invented bifocal so people could both see far away and read up close. Created an odometer to measure how far someone went, a fireplace that heated fast and required less wood, and not to mention he talked the importance of fruits before anyone had ever heard of vitamin C, and he encouraged exercise. Traveling to England and France he heard about the “electricians” they had and took a wire home to experiment with himself. Doing these trick made him think how he could steal lightening from the sky. So he made a kite with a wire on top to attract the lightening, then ran a string down it and tied a key to the bottom. He and his son stood in the doorway with the kite flying, but nothing happened until they almost gave up and when he brought his knuckle close to the key he got quite a shock! He had stolen lightening! He took this knowledge and made lightening rods. People connected a metal rod to their roof or ships and ran a wire from it to the ground where the lightening could now follow a safe path and didn’t burn a thing. This simple invention saved many, many lives and Franklin won many awards for it. Ben Franklin was a man of many talks and colors. There are so many things he did that we still use today. We all owe him a big thanks!

Who would benefit from reading this?
This is a great book for kids to read when they are learning about the writers of the declaration of independence or our countries history. There are so many facts, but they are presented in a much less boring and friendlier way.

Potential problems/conflicts:
I don’t sense any problems or conflicts in the book, it may be too factual to keep the attention of some children, but other than that, I think it is a much friendlier approach to studying our countries history.

My reaction:
I had no idea how many things Ben Franklin invented! In fact I didn’t even know about the lightening, the thing he won the most award for! I like how the facts were presented in this book, and they didn’t have too much detail. It was nicely written and an easy but not too quick of a read. I am thankful Ben Franklin came along though because I don’t know what we would be doing without libraries and mail to own doorsteps. An ingenious man no doubt!

One Beetle Too Many
Author: Kathryn Lasky
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Copyright: 2009
Pages: 36
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Genre: Children’s Non-Fiction
Rating: ***

Summary:
In Charles Darwins home growing up nothing was off limits. That being the case he loved to be outside collecting bugs. He even popped a beetle into his mouth as a kid because he ran out of jars. At the age of eight his mother passed away and he was sent away to boarding school. He hated school and did poorly, but when he and his brother returned they had fun making a lab for experiments in the back. His father getting very annoyed by Charles poor study habits was sent to study medicine, when he failed at that because he hated blood and anatomy his father decided he should join the clergy. Well the only thing better about the clergy was that there was no blood, but he hated that as well and when Henslow, a friend told him about a change to go and explore South America he could resist. He convinced his Father and family to let him go and he was gone! The sea captains name was Fitzroy. Fitzroy was a man who believed in God and Charles believed in a higher power. This lead to many fights between the men. Despite their arguments though, the Beagle said on. And all over South America it sailed. Each place they put anchor Darwin would explore! He collected specimen after specimen and sent them all back to Henslow in England. While he was gone he studied how the birds varied from island to island, he experienced his first earthquake, and began to think how evolution began. Finally after five years of travel and study, Darwin returned home. He then married his cousin Emma Wedgewood and they started their family which eventually grew to twelve with the two of them and their ten children! Since Emma’s family was even wealthier than Darwin’s he was able to spend all his days dedicated to studying. And in this time he wrote The Origin of Species which sold out its first day. It was very controversial because it was a book about evolution which contradicted the belief that many held of creationism. But his family and friends stood by him. All his life Charles Darwin studied and learned about everything and anything around him.

Who would benefit from reading this?
Anyone who wants to learn more about Charles Darwin in a factual but less boring way, this would be great for a book report on him, along with a great book for young scientists.

Potential problems/conflicts:
The book is pretty long. It also goes against the belief of creationism. Lots of information but the pages can be very lengthy for a kid’s book at times.

My reaction:
I learned a lot more than I ever knew about Charles Darwin. I find it interesting how some of the most influential and most talked about people in history did not do well in school. Makes me feel not so bad about getting a bad grade here and there. I learned a lot more about Darwin from this book but at times the pages could be very lengthy and more information than I really cared to know.

Destination Rain Forest
Author: Jonathan Grupper
Publisher: National Geographic Society
Copyright: 1997
Pages: 31
Reading Level: 3
Genre: Children’s Non-Fiction
Rating: ****

Summary:
Exactly as the title alludes to, destination rainforest takes to the rainforest and drops us off. Each page is filled with pictures to the brim and what you are seeing, and hearing on your day through the rainforest is explained. When you look up you see the howler monkey the treetops. To your right is a tree frog. At night you turn on your flashlight and see the activity is still going on and there are seven million leafcutter ants wrapping up their work all around you. In the morning you learn all about the food chain, thanks to the grumbling appetites of the forest animals. It is hot out, but you don’t dare get into the river. Not with the piranhas, caiman alligators, otters and anaconda! In the afternoon you see a jaguar and a macaw, and spider monkeys and sloths. The rain comes in suddenly and then just as quickly is gone, but is replaced by the sound of a tree being cut down! More quickly than ever the rainforest is being destroyed, there won’t be much left in a few years at this rate. Then there are birds, everywhere…a third of all birds live here. And then night comes, and with it all the nocturnal animals of the rainforest.

Who would benefit from reading this?
Young kids would be captivated by the pictures and any kids that love animals and are interested in the rain forest would really enjoy this book. A quick read with great pictures!

Potential problems/conflicts:
If you are in the lumber company you may be offended by the negative spin this book gives to those that are cutting down the trees. Some of the animals are also on the creepy side, but if you don’t like it you can quickly turn the page.

My reaction:
The pictures in the book are….AMAZING! I also really liked how they made it seem like you were traveling through the rainforest and seeing different things as they went. They not only explained the animals, but what time of day you would see them and where in the rainforest. The facts were also interesting. I couldn’t believe that each year the cut down an area of forest the size of Washington State! That is huge! There really won’t be a rainforest in a century or two at that rate and with it will go most of the world’s animals.

Are You My Mother?
Author: P.D. Eastman
Publisher: Beginner Books-Random House
Copyright: 1960
Pages: 64
Reading Level: 1 or 2
Genre: Children’s Non-Fiction
Rating: *****

Summary:
A mother bird is sitting on her egg, when she feels it move beneath and she knows it is getting ready to hatch. So off she flies to get some food for her new baby. While she is off looks for worms though, the egg hatches and the little bird look up, and down but he couldn’t find his mother. So off he set to look for her. Since he could not fly yet, he walked. As he walked he looked for his mother. First he met a kitten, but the kitten was not his mother, neither was the hen, or the dog, or the cow and how could they be. They were cows, and cats, and hens and dogs, not birds. But the little bird keeps looking, this time running. He finds an old car and he knows a car could not be his mother, nor the boat, plan or crane. That crane though it wasn’t his mother carried that baby bird up and up. And the baby bird could not get down, but then the crane (snort) stops and the baby bird calls for his mother, and then suddenly the crane down him, right back into his nest. Just then his Mother comes back and asks if he knows who she is. Well of course he does, she is a bird. Not a cat, dog, hen, cow, boat, plane or snort. She is his mother.

Who would benefit from reading this?
This is a great book to teach kids their animals, but I think any child, old or young would enjoy it. Young kids can even read it themselves, which makes it even more fun.

Potential problems/conflicts:
A crane is called a snort, so for a non-fiction book some parents may be annoyed that it isn’t the proper name. There are no other problems I can think of though.

My reaction:
I loved when my grandma used to read me this book. It is so simple, but a favorite of many none the less. There is just something about that little bird making his way around looking for his mother that all of us love. The pictures are very simple, but great at the same time. I love this book, definitely a favorite as a kid and still now.

The Truth about Dangerous Sea Creatures
Author: Mary M. Cerullo
Publisher: Chronical Books
Copyright: 2003
Pages: 40
Reading Level:
Genre: Non-Fiction
Rating: *****

Summary:
Giant Squid, Jellies, Stonefish, surgeonfish, whale shark. The list goes on. All these sea creature and more are showed up close and personal in this book all about dangerous sea creatures. With each animal you learn where its found, why it is dangerous, how big it is, have up close pictures and more. This books gives you all the true facts on those creatures that live deep down. For example, did you know that the most feared animal by divers is not sharks, but a spiny sea urchin? Their long brittles spines break of easily and lodge in your skin. Trying to get them out though is the big task, often when they spines are pulled out they will break again and be implanted in the skin for weeks or months and can lead to infections. This book tells you about every scary sea creature you have ever wondered about and some you have never even heard of. Prepare yourself to get lost in it for hours!

Who would benefit from reading this?
Anyone who loves animals, especially sea creatures and loves to know facts would love this book! It is full of so many interesting and random facts as well as some amazing pictures!

Potential problems/conflicts:
Some of the pictures in this book may be scary to kids, because let’s be honest some of these sea creatures are just creepy.

My reaction:
I was surprised by how much time I spent reading this book! I wanted to show and tell everyone about all the cool facts I was learning. And the pictures, those are a whole different story. Not only do you see the pictures but you have more of an idea just how big some of these creatures are when you see them compared to divers. For example the whale shark or basking shark…the full grown diver in the picture is only maybe a fourth of the length of the shark and a twentieth of the circumference. Those things are huge! I want this book! Very fun to read and all educational! Who would have guessed it?

Touch and Feel SHAPES
Publisher: Dorling Kindersley Book
Copyright: 2000
Pages: 10
Reading Level: Kindergarten
Genre: Non Fiction
Rating: ****

Summary:
This book is all about shapes. Circles are round, like a compact disk, an orange, balls, and a plate. Squares are like: dice, presents, building blocks, buttons, and silky cushions. Triangles are like: flags, and some buttons. Rectangles are like: fluffy pencil cases, and combs. Ovals are like: a tortoise, coconut, and balloon. Hearts are like: buttons, sunglasses and a cookie. Diamonds are like kites, and Stars are like magic star wands. Not only does this book teach shapes though, you can also feel some of them. Like the bumps on the orange, the fluffy pencil case, the smooth glasses, and the silky cushion.

Who would benefit from reading this?
Great for little kids learning their shapes. Especially good for those that can’t read yet because they can feel the things you are reading to them about and the book is mainly pictures.

Potential problems/conflicts:
The only problem I can see it that buttons fall under just about every category of shape, so that may confuse kids, but other than that there is nothing I would consider a problem in here.

My reaction:
I loved these books when I was a kid. We never had them in my home, but I was always jealous of the other kids at church that had them. They make learning the shapes fun and interactive. Especially good for those that are kinesthetic learners. Simple and short which is great for those that are young, because it doesn’t require a very long attention span. I will invest in these book for my kids without a doubt.

No One Told the Aardvark
Author: Deborah Eaton and Susan Halter
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Copyright: 1997
Pages: 30
Reading Level: Ages 2 and up
Genre: Children’s Non Fiction
Rating: *****

Summary:
We meet a little boy who thinks sometimes, it would be more fun to be an animal. Why is this? Because of all the things they can get away with doing and he can’t. His father tells him not to eat with his fingers and to use a spoon, but Chimpanzees eat with fingers and toes! His brother tells him to tie his shoes; horses don’t have to tie their shoes because they are nailed on. His mother tells him to take smaller bites and chew his food. Boa constrictors don’t have to chew their food they swallow it whole. Hermit crabs don’t have to clean their rooms, they just find new homes. And the animals goes on and on. You learn about all different kinds of animals, an elephant, a fish, a crab, a raccoon, a kangaroo, a horse, a whale, snake, crocodile, snail or aardvark. Sometimes he wishes he was an animal, perhaps sometimes they want to be him.

Who would benefit from reading this?
Fun for all kids, it teaches you so much about animals but not only that, it show kids how animals are like them. A great book for younger kids.

Potential problems/conflicts:
I honestly don’t see any problems with this book. Very factual. The only problem is you might make your kid smarter than you want:)

My reaction:
I loved how this book compared the animals to the boy. It made it so that animals are just animals, but they are things not so different than us. I thought it was a great book to teach kids things, but also keep their attention. There are also great pictures that fill the page. The title was what caught my eye for this book, but I was impressed by just how fun it was to LEARN!

Millions to Measure
Author: David M. Schwartz
Publisher: Harper Collins
Copyright: 2003
Pages: 28
Reading Level: Ages 5-12
Genre: Children’s Non Fiction
Rating: *****

Summary:
How did we decide what a foot was? A pound? Inches? In this book you get to follow from the beginning of time to the present how we came to have all the measurements we do. It starts off by taking the reader back in time to the prehistoric time where they had no idea how to measure distances and volume, size and weight. So someone decided they would use their feet to do height and distance, and stones for weight. But the problem was that everyone had different size feet and used different stones. You then travel forward in time and see Kings declaring that all measurements should be according to their feet, their cup, and their weight choice. After some time all people around the world come to agree on what one foot is. Which it shows is 12 inches. You then learn all about a ruler. You learn there are 5.280 feet in one mile, and that Mt. Everest is 5.5 miles high…so how many feet is that? 29,000! Then we learn about weight and volume. How at cup is, ounces, that there are two cups in one pint, two pints in a quart, and four quarts in a gallon! It even teaches about the metric system! It talks about liters, grams and more. It ends by letting explaining that many think the USA will eventually switch over to the metric system like the rest of the world, but whether they do or not doesn’t matter because we already learned all about it!

Who would benefit from reading this?
This book is great to teach any kid the standard measurements! Heck it was good for me! I had no idea how many feet were in a mile or that two cups equaled a pint and so on. A fun way to learn the basic math we use in our everyday life!

Potential problems/conflicts:
The only problem that I can think of is that there is A LOT to learn from this book. You might have to read it several times to get it all down.

My reaction:
I was surprised how great this book was. I would highly recommended it to parents to read to their children, and learn a thing for themselves as well. I know that I don’t know about pints and quarts, nor enough about the metric system. This book has a fun and laid back way of teach you all about math for the real world. They don’t teach this stuff in school, but kids need to know it. This book was even better than I expected. It covered everything, from measurements for height, distance, volume and more. A great book, I was surprised myself at how much I really didn’t know and how much I learned!

The Great Gilly Hopkins
Author: Katherine Paterson
Publisher: Harper Trophy
Copyright: 1978
Pages: 178
Reading Level: Ages 10 and up
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Rating: ****

Summary:
Gilly is eleven, smart and witty, and more of a handful than any foster home can handle. Transferred once again she is taken to the Trotters. They aren’t your typical family though. With a small house and a bedroom she can hardly turn around in. Not to mention a foster brother that is shy and slower in school. To top it all off Trotter also feeds a blind black man every night. But it is all only minor details to Gilly, because she is determined to get out of there and back to her mother who is beautiful and wants her back…or so she thinks. As time goes on though, Gilly finds that despite how much she wants to hate Trotters, it is unlike any other place she has been. And the day Trotter stands up to CPS after Gilly has ran away is the day Gilly finally let herself really get comfortable. She began to love them, they weren’t just a foster family, they are HER family! Each and every one of them, from her brother who she teaches to fight and stand up for himself, to Trotter and the old man they are part of her and she is part of them. During Thanksgiving week everyone gets very sick, and Gilly jumps in to take care of all of them. But then everything changes with a knock on the door. When Gilly opens it there is an older woman standing there, who says she is her Grandma and has come to get her. When Gilly had first arrived she wrote her Mother a letter and told a bunch of lies about how horrible it was and to please come and get her. And the Mother had sent the Grandma. Just as suddenly as Gilly was given to Trotter she was taken away. The only thing is, Gilly doesn’t want to leave. She loves Trotter and she knows Trotter loves her and she wants to say. The law disagrees though and she goes to live with her grandmother. Her Mother though, is just as much out of her life as she was before though. Finally though, at Christmas her Mother comes to visit, but only for a couple days. That is when Gilly realizes her Mother is not who she has thought. Her Mother didn’t love her, and her Mother was far from beautiful. Running away to the bathroom she makes a phone call to Trotter and says she is coming back, but Trotter tells her she has to say. Because even though Trotter loves Gilly, her grandma needs her now.

Who would benefit from reading this?
This book is great for anyone who had a less than easy childhood. As well as those that didn’t. It shows each of us just what true love looks like. All of us could learn a thing or two from Gilly.

Potential problems/conflicts:
Gilly can have a rough mouth at times and take the Lords name in vain. She is also violent from time to time. I would also say this is a book for older kids, not younger ones to be reading.

My reaction:
A first I didn’t see all the lessons that Gilly teaches us, so I was so so about my feelings on the books. After I finished it though, and looked back I realized just how much we learn from Gilly. I think all of us like her can be hard at times and not want to let others in or have our eyes so focused on something we can’t see things for what they really are. But through Gilly we learn the meaning of true love, and just how important people are. A good book, any book that can make you analyze your own life is a book worth reading. Just like Gilly was surprised at the fact that she fell in love with her new family, you will be surprised at how quickly you fall in love with them too!

A Year Down Yonder
Author: Richard Peck
Publisher: Puffin Books
Copyright: 2000
Pages: 130
Reading Level: 5
Genre: Childrens Fiction
Rating: *****

Summary:
Mary Alice’s family like many was hit hard by the depression. With money scare and the budget tight her brother was sent off to work and Mary Alice was sent to Illinois to live with Grandma. Grandma Dowell isn’t just any grandma either, she can rough it and tough it with the best of them. Arriving at the station her in Illinois she was rushed off to school and form that day till the very last things never failed to be interesting. As time goes on though, Mary Alice learns just how much she never realizes about Grandma through the many adventures they have. From fox trapping, cooking pies for the town and “picking” pecan for the pies, to tripping the local Halloween terrorizers her and Grandma grow closer and closer. And in time, Mary Alice finds she is ending up more like Grandma each and every day than she ever would have thought. The time finally comes though, when Mary Alice’s father has gotten a job, and is able to bring her home…but does she want to go? No. She would rather be with grandma. Grandma, being the good woman she is though kindly shows her the door but reminders that she never locks it. Years later, Mary Alice is back in grandma’s living room only with wedding bells. Marrying her one true love she met thanks to coming to live with grandma, and they live happily ever after.

Who would benefit from reading this?
Anybody who has a grandma that is a force to reckon with would love reading this book because it will remind them of their own grandma. This is also a great book for kids who like an adventure when they read, but a classic very relatable adventure. A great book for anyone and everyone I think.

Potential problems/conflicts:
Some of the tricks grandma can pull can be a little graphic and the words shared between her and a neighbor can be less than kind but there isn’t anything I don’t think a kid can’t read. Also if you are against hunting…some parts in this book might be hard to stomach. You could also consider some actions of grandma’s against the law.

My reaction:
I loved this book!! I reminded me of my grandma to a t. This grandma is as tough as nails, and witty beyond compare, but loves everyone and would do anything for those she loves and those around her. All throughout the book I couldn’t help but laugh at the pranks and things her grandma pulls, and smile at the impact her grandmother has on her, not only then but for the rest of her life. This book was better than I expected. I would strongly encourage everyone to read it! Especially if your grandma is one of those strong, independent woman it will feel like you are reading a book all about your own grandma! Read it!! I recommend it! No more needs to be said.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Author: Judith Viorst
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Copyright: 1972
Pages: 28
Reading Level: 3
Genre: Picture Book
Rating: *****

Summary:
Alexander woke up…and everything from that point on made it a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. He tripped on his skateboard, his sweat fell in the sink and got all wet, everyone else got a surprise in their cereal box and that was in his was…cereal! So what does he do? He declares it a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day and decides he will move to Australia. Things just keep going wrong, he had to sit in the middle of the carpool, he was declared Philips third best friend, his mother forgot to pack him a dessert for lunch and on top of all that…he is the only one the dentist finds a cavity in! To top it all off on the way home his brother makes him fall then makes fun of for crying…and who gets in trouble? Well he did, because of course his mother walked in at the wrong time and only saw him yelling. At the shoe store they didn’t have his shoe and he had to get all white ones…ssooooo not cool, and at his Father’s work he knocked the papers on and more. Finally the day is coming to a close, but not his bad day because, there are lima beans for dinner and kissing on tv both of which he hates. Along with his bath being too hot and having to wear his least favorite pajamas to bed. Going to bed he once more declares that today has been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day but, his Mom said some days are like that…even in Australia.

Who would benefit from reading this?
EVERY KID!! Along with anyone who is just having one of those terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days.

Potential problems/conflicts:
The only problem I could see with this book is that it involves imagination on part of the audience because the pictures are not in color, honestly though you don’t even notice.

My reaction:
I love, love, love this book! It was one of my favorites as a child and still is. The pictures may not be in color, but the characters none the less are very real, and everyone can go down memory lane as the follow Alexander through his bad day. Even as an adult it is still nice to know that I am not alone, and that someone else out there had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day…but it’s okay, because some days are like that. Everyone can relate with Alexander and laugh as we see his day just go from bad to worse. I strongly suggest this book for every book collection out there whether yours is large or small!

Lincoln: A Photobiography
Author: Russell Freedman
Publisher: Clarion Books
Copyright: 1987
Pages: 144
Reading Level: Ages 8-12
Genre: Photobiography
Rating: ***

Summary:
This book is exactly what it sounds like a biography of President Lincoln, but with pictures. The unique thing about this book is the pictures because not only do they go along with the text, but they are actual pictures from that time. It talks all about Lincoln’s life from a-z. It starts out with a general overview, and then lets us see into his whole life. His life as a poor farm boy, his desire to be a lawyer and reading law books and taking the bar and passing, his marriage to his wife, and his wife’s families distaste and disapproval of Lincoln for marriage. Naturally it also talks of his running for President, the war, the emancipation act, and finally his assassination. All throughout the book there are numerous pictures about Lincoln. Each tells us more about him, and lets us see what it was like back then. There are several pictures of the war, and even his funeral procession. A great book about one of our Presidents, that is more geared toward a lower reading level, and less stuffy and intimidating than a textbook.

Who would benefit from reading this?
Kids who like non-fiction books, as well as those in a history class or doing a project on President Lincoln would benefit from this book. This book is not only for kids though, it would be beneficial to anyone that wanted to learn more about Lincoln, in a factual, non biased but less text book style of writing, and better yet with pictures.

Potential problems/conflicts:
There is a lot of text, and not as many pictures. So a lot of kids will probably get bored, this is not a book you would read straight through. There are also some pretty graphic pictures of the Civil War that you might not want younger children to see.

My reaction:
I learned a lot about President Lincoln that I had never learned because, such as how he didn’t believe in punishment for his kids, and just how rotten they were. I also learned more about the war, without bias and more about the man, behind the title of President. I won’t lie, at times it was hard to stay awake while reading because it is so very much fact based but I loved the pictures! I loved that I saw the picture that Lincoln thinks looks the most like him, what his family looked like, his handwriting and more. By far the picture aspect of the book was my favorite but there is a lot to learn in this book and it would be great to use when teaching children.

LOVE THAT DOG
Author: Sharon Creech
Publisher: Harper Trophy
Copyright: 2001
Pages: 86
Reading Level: Ages 8-12
Genre: Poetry
Rating: **

Summary:
Jack doesn’t like poetry, but that doesn’t change the fact that the subject in school is poetry. Each kid has to write poetry, and read and respond to several poems. Jack starts off by saying he doesn’t like poetry and he doesn’t understand it. But from each of the poems he reads, writes about, or writes of his own we see that little does Jack know it, but he is writing poetry. The whole book is in poem form, and tells jack life thanks to a teacher who knows that every kid has poetry in him, Jack’s dog Sky, and some poems that hit home. The poem by Walter Dean Myers “Love that boy”, not only inspires Jack to write his poem about Sky but, Myers even comes to visit the class at Jack’s special request. After he visits the class on the last page we get to see Jack’s poem called “Love that Dog” and see how is poetry went from just talking, to actual poetry.

Who would benefit from reading this?
Kids struggling to read poetry or those who love poetry, as well as those looking for a quick read.

Potential problems/conflicts:
There is not a lot of detail so those that need a good storyline and the typical novel outline may not want to read this book. You also have to be able to follow the dialogue of one person to the next. It also talks about his dog that died...that could bring up tender memories in kids as well.

My reaction:
I won’t lie; I did not enjoy this book. Though it was a quick read, it never caught my interest. I was able to easily put down the book and was glad when I was done. This could have to do with the fact that I am the person who does not enjoy poetry I suppose but, I think in large, the main thing is that I like more of a story book writing style, verse a dialogue book.

Children Just Like Me
Author: Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley /Unicef
Publisher: DK Publishing Inc.
Copyright: 1995
Pages: 79
Reading Level: 4
Genre: Informational/Growing up Book
Rating: ****

Summary:
Oscar Gutierrez is nine. He lives in Bolivia, and when he grows up he wants to be a soccer player. Houda Elazhar is ten. She lives in Morocco and she wants to teach Arabic when she grows. Who are these kids? Children just like us. This book is all about kids from all over the world that are just like us. Each page is represents a different country/state, with details, details and more about the child and their home. You see the clothing they wear each day, hear about the weather, schooling, work, hopes and dreams and more. There are over 160 countries represented in the book, and it is a great way to show children that though others may look different, they are just like each of us and them. Full of facts and hours upon hours of entertainment and education for children, it is exactly as the title says…Children just like everyone else.

Who would benefit from reading this?
Who would benefit…kids of all ages, especially those whom live in areas that aren’t as diverse. For me as a child, it was common to see all different groups and races of children, but for those born in less diverse areas it is a great opportunity for them to learn that everyone else, though they may look different are no different than them. At the same time it can benefit those from especially diverse places to weaken the prejudice in children.

Potential problems/conflicts:
It is very long, and there is a lot of information on each child. You may want to take this book one page at a time. Reading it too long can also leave you with an uninterested and upset child.

My Reaction:
I loved this book, but I am a nerd for auto and biographies. So learing about these kids from their own words, and seeing them as they are each day really helped me to make a connection no only with them, but with others I now come into contact with whom are from the same place or foreign countries. I would never sit and read this book all at once, but fun to read every now and again.

Dear Mr. Henshaw
Author: Beverly Clearly
Publisher: Dell/Yearling Book
Copyright: 1983
Pages: 134
Reading Level: 4.7
Genre: Children’s Novel
Rating: ***

Summary:
This books is simply letters from Leigh Botts to his favorite auther, Mr. Henshaw. Leigh starts out with letters about his book “Ways to Amuse a Dog”, and how much he loves it and the reports he is doing on it. Then the letters turn into questions for the author for a project. But not only does Mr. Henshaw answer the questions, but sends a list of his own for Leigh. The book then progresses to Leigh answering the many questions even though he doesn’t want to. After the questions, Leigh reads more books by Mr. Henshaw like he has suggested, and wants to know more about being a writer. Each letter, Mr. Henshaw replies; some are just post cards but he always replies. And from each reply wheter it is a post card or a letter Leigh discovers something about himself. He discovers his mixed feelings for his father who left, he discovers his feels for his mother and how grateful he is for how hard she works. He finally finds a friend. And all this because of Mr. Henshaw’s good example, and his advice to start a journal, and begin writing now if Leigh wanted to be a writer. The message and the tone of the book is so simple, and yet can hit so close to home for so many. Though I have never experienced divorce, many close to me have! It a hard time, especially for a child, and each kid needs to know that he is loved, he has value, and he can become anything he sets his mind to.

Who would benefit from reading this?
Kids who have experienced a divorce by far! Also those who feel like they have no one to talk to would be a good audience as well.

Potential problems/conflicts:
It is all about a boy going through the divorce of his parents. Though the divorce is not talked about a lot directly, it could cause kids in similar situations to ask a lot of unwanted questions. As well as that it could bring up a lot of painful memories for others.

My reaction:
I have heard about this book over and over but I have to admit, I wasn’t as thrilled by it as others seem to be. The book was almost repetitive for me, and lacked detail. But from the perspective of a tween I can see how any child in the same situation could relate and find this book not only enlightening but a load of their shoulder, and that they weren’t alone. So maybe the fact that I have never experienced a divorce has to do with me not loving this book. It is a well written book though, and shows how much impact we can have on others, even those we never meet.

Egg Monsters from Mars
Author: R.L. Stine
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Copyright: 1996
Pages: 115
Reading Level: 4
Genre: Scary
Rating: ***

Summary:
Dana Johnson wants to be a scientist when he grows. So when he is out hunting for eggs for his sister Brandy’s birthday party “egg hunt” and come across an egg like he has never seen he has to take it home. The egg is large, has green veins and what sounds like a heartbeat, and no matter what he does to it, it doesn’t crack open. The next morning though, he wakes to thumping and bumping…and opens his drawer where the egg is hidden to watch it hatch. And what does he find a scrambled egg looking sort of monster. It is yellow and lumpy and has black beady eyes, and on top of that, it growls. So what does he do? He takes it down to the local lab like any scientist to find out what it is. Once he is there Dr. Gray brings him and explains that the scrambled egg looking thing is in fact a Martian from mars that fell from the sky. He shows Dana the room full of other Martians, but then things suddenly go south for Dana. The Doctor locks him in the room and will not let him return home, because not only are the Martians being studied, he will be now too. Locked inside the freezing room, Dana is about to give up. His father came looking for him, but he was in a sound proof room and the lights were off so he couldn’t see him and left. As the night went on, Dana got colder and colder and just when he thought he would freeze to death the eggs all combined together and made a large blanket to keep him warm. Then, Dr. Gray came in the next morning, the eggs attacked him and Dana escaped. Though no one believed him he knew what happened was real. And on his way to his friend Anna’s house the next morning…suddenly Dana laid an egg…

Who would benefit from reading this?
I think any kid in the elementary age would benefit from this, especially those who like a little terror. These books have just enough scare factor to keep kids reading, but not so much that they wouldn’t be able to sleep at night. Very fun, and a quick read.

Potential problems/conflicts:
The fact that it is a scary is the first conflict that comes to my mind. It might scare some kids, or possibly give them nightmares. It also talks about aliens, which parents might not want their kids reading about because they don’t believe in it. The main problem is it is scary.

My reaction:
My sister used to read these books all the time as a child, and for some reason I never had the desire to read them. I was more the “Little House on the Prairie” type, but reading this made me laugh. Though it held absolutely no scare factor for me as an adult, I could see how it would keep kids reading because they were on the edge of their seat. A fun read. I can see this being a great series for those that find reading boring, because there is really nothing boring about the Goosebumps series. I mean the series name says it all! I would have no problem letting my kids read these books, they are a fun and different read from the normal. I enjoyed it.