The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

 The Book Thief by Markus Zusak-552 pages

Once you figure out that the narrator of the book is Death it makes a lot more sense!  It is actually a very cool and different angle.

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. Death has never been busier, and will be busier still.

By her brother's graveside, Liesel's life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Gravedigger's Handbook, left behind there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordian-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, wherever there are books to be found.

But these are dangerous times. When Liesel's foster family hides a Jew in their basement, Liesel's world is both opened up, and closed down.

Such beautiful, well developed characters.  I LOVE this book!

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, 382 pages

Sunrise on the Reaping might be my favorite book in the Hunger Games series. From the beginning, we know how the story ends. We know that all of the tributes sans Haymitch will die. But the way the story unfolds feels unpredictable, like anything might happen. Revolution can come and spare the children. I ran through this title at a breakneck speed. It's a book that my subconscious will be chewing on for a while. 

 

Kids Say the Darndest Things by Art Linkletter

 Kids Say the Darndest Things by Art Linkletter-191 pages

I was in need of a good laugh.  So, when this book came across my desk I fondly remembered laughing during the program, even though I was just a kid myself at the time!  I enjoyed it very much and appreciated it even more now that I'm old.

Village of Scoundrels (Based on a true story of courage during WWII) by Margi Preus

 

Village of Scoundrels by Margi Preus. 295 pages. 

Margi Preus tells the incredible true story of a group of French teenagers who helped save refugees in WWII. Among them is a young, Jewish boy who learns to forge documents to save his mother and later goes on to save hundreds of lives with his forgery skills. There is also a girl who overcomes her fear to carry messages for the Resistance. And a boy who smuggles people into Switzerland. But there is always the threat that they will be caught: A policeman is sent to keep an eye on them, German soldiers reside in a local hotel, and eventually the Gestapo arrives, armed with guns and a list of names. As the knot tightens, the young people must race against time to bring their friends to safety. 

I love reading and learning about WWII, so this was a very interesting book to read. The story line was a little bit choppy because the story is told from each of the characters' points of view. However, the author kept my attention and interest throughout the novel. I would recommend this book to children 4th grade or older interested in history and WWII. 

Ten Horse Farm: A Pop-up Spectacular by Robert Sabuda

Ten Horse Farm: A Pop-up Spectacular by Robert Sabuda - 20 Pages

Roan, speckled, dappled, gray ? how many different horses are playing on these pages? A new novelty delight from renowned pop-up master Robert Sabuda. Watch with awe as majestic horses leap off the page when you open this stunning full-color pop-up book. Glorious images of horses grazing, prancing, and galloping in an idyllic farm setting are inspired by everyday scenes in rural America as well as by the real Ten Horse Farm (now an art studio) owned by artist and designer Robert Sabuda in upstate New York. This 3-D gem will draw horse enthusiasts of all ages.

The Institute by Stephen King

The Institute by Stephen King - 576 pages

This book is a throwback in a good way to early King novels such as Firestarter and It with its themes of children with powers fighting evil government agencies. 

Luke Ellis, an extremely smart kid, is sleeping when agents sneak into his Minneapolis house, murder his parents, and kidnap him for transport to The Institute.  He wakes up in a room that looks just like the bedroom he left but there is no window and the door opens onto an institutional hallway and a yard with other kids.  Luke soon discovers that the sinister forces behind The Institute are dead set on extracting psychic powers from the minds of gifted kids no matter the cost.  King's worlds are never black and white and it is fascinating to see what choices his characters will make in the grey. 

The Good Neighbor, The Life and Work of Fred Rogers, by Maxwell King

The Good Neighbor, The Life and Work of Fred Rogers, by Maxwell King - 406 pages



Fred Rogers (1928–2003) was an enormously influential figure in the history of television and in the lives of tens of millions of children. As the creator and star of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, he was a champion of compassion, equality, and kindness. Rogers was fiercely devoted to children and to taking their fears, concerns, and questions about the world seriously.
 
The Good Neighbor, the first full-length biography of Fred Rogers, tells the story of this utterly unique and enduring American icon. Drawing on original interviews, oral histories, and archival documents, Maxwell King traces Rogers’s personal, professional, and artistic life through decades of work, including a surprising decision to walk away from the show to make television for adults, only to return to the neighborhood with increasingly sophisticated episodes, written in collaboration with experts on childhood development. An engaging story, rich in detail, 

The Good Neighbor is the definitive portrait of a beloved figure, cherished by multiple generations.

My Manners Matter: a First
Look at Being Polite
by Pat Thomas  (29 pages)

Simple, easy read that explains and shows the use of having good manners. The last two pages contain a How to Use This Book, Books to Read, and Resources for Parents.

Frank the Seven-Legged Spider by Michaele Razi

Frank the Seven-Legged Spider by Michaele Razi 32 pages

This story is about a spider named Frank that loves life and loves to spin beautiful webs.  One morning he wakes up and realizes that he now only has seven legs.  He begins to question his identity as a spider, wondering if he is still one despite only having seven legs.  He begins a fun journey through different places in search of his missing leg.

Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty by G. Neri

Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty by G. Neri-94 pages

I did a search for good graphic biographies and this was on a list and we have it here in the library. I enjoy reading a graphic novel (fiction and non-fiction) periodically. This book is a sad read because Yummy (real name Robert) is a "shorty" in a Chicago gang who kills a 14-year-old neighborhood girl on accident in an attempt to kill rival gang members to impress his gang leaders. His "brothers" in the gang decide after some time (and a massive "man" hunt for Yummy) that he is a liability and they shoot him and kill him. Also, Yummy's parents are in and out of jail, so he is raised by his grandma, but spends more time on the streets than with her. Yummy ends up on the cover of Time Magazine as an example of the ongoing violence in Chicago and the U.S. Violence, especially gang-related violence, is still a hot issue today. It is sobering that kids this young (Yummy was 11) are joining gangs and being recruited for child armies across the world and something needs to be done, although I don't profess to know the answer. 

Madeline L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel by Hope Larson

Madeline L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel by Hope Larson - 392 pages

This is the graphic novel retelling of Madeline L'Engle's classic book A Wrinkle in Time.  I really liked the original novel and the graphic novel retelling got great reviews so I decided to try it.  I really did not care for the retelling.  The illustrations were not to my liking.  I also think the story loses a lot in the graphic novel retelling -- so many nuances were left out.

Children of the Green Knowe by L.M. Boston

Children of the Green Knowe by L.M. Boston -- 192 pages

Toseland or "Tolly" is going to meet and live with his grandmother who lives at Green Knowe. Gran tells Tolly about the place and the generations of history, and soon Tolly realizes that the children who died many years ago are still in the house.
This is a cleverly told ghost story of a real castle in Scotland, which is over 900 years old. Although it is a ghost story, with ghosts, it is quite sweet and gentle, not frightening at all.

Comics Squad: Recess by various authors

Comics Squad: Recess! by various authors - 136 pages

This is a compilation of various established graphic novel series for children.  Each contributing series has a short story in the collection.

I got this as an ARC.  While I enjoyed the book and found a couple of series that I might order for the library, I don't think this is a book I would add.  You have to be familiar with the various series for the stories to really make any sense.

Tails are not for Pulling by Elizabeth Verdick

Tails are not for Pulling 

by Elizabeth Verdick, 34 pages

This easy to read children's book works at teaching children empathy animals- no tail pulling, no poking and no teasing.

MSCHMITT--A Ride Through the Neighborhood Maggie Testa 10

 MSCHMITT--A Ride Through the Neighborhood Maggie Testa 10
This book is perfect for a train or Daniel the tiger lover. The book is in the shape of a train car with wheels and the story takes readers all through Daniel's neighborhood to pick up and drop off his friends.

MSCHMITT--Bear's Loose Tooth Karma Wilson 29

 MSCHMITT--Bear's Loose Tooth Karma Wilson 29

When Bears discovers he has a loose tooth, all of his friends are inclined to help him get it out! In the end Bear is able to get his tooth out on his own.

MSCHMITT-- Pete's A Pizza by Williams Steig 29

 MSCHMITT-- Pete's A Pizza by Williams Steig 29

Pete is upset that it is raining and he cannot go outside, his father decides to help entertain him by turning him into a pizza. Kids love this book and will be wanting to play pizza after you finish this book.

MSCHMITT-- Love Waves by Rosemary Wells 28

 MSCHMITT-- Love Waves by Rosemary Wells 28

This is a reassuring tale for little ones when mom and dad have to be away. Love waves are always in the air even if mom and dad cannot be at your side.

MSCHMITT--What Time is it Mr. Crocodile? Judy Sierra 29

 MSCHMITT--What Time is it Mr. Crocodile? Judy Sierra 29

Mr Crocodile lives in Bristlecone Bay and he is getting ready for a big day out. His plans entail several errands but the most important one is cooking up those pesky moneys. It seems that everywhere Mr. Crocodile goes he has those monkeys trailing behind and it appears that they are all having a good time. By the end of the book Mr. Crocodile's schedule looks very different and children will be surprised at what he plans to do with the monkeys now.

MSCHMITT--Caring For Your Teeth by Sian Smith 24

  MSCHMITT--Caring for your teeth by Sian Smith 24

This is a simple informational title teaching kids about their teeth and why it is so important to take care of them. This book also talks about what will happen when they go to the dentist. I loved this book because at the beginning it reinforced why eating too many sweets is not a good idea.