A DAY IN THE LIFE: RAIN FOREST ANIMALS LEMUR

Author (last name first):
Ganeri, Anita 
Publisher, Date of Publication: 
Heinemann Library /1961
Grade Level/ or Age Level: 
Kindergarten- 2nd Grade
Classification: 
Non-Fiction  

This is an educational book. It uses visual aids to help the reader learn about Lemurs. The pictures throughout the book help give a connection to the name "Lemur" and the environment in which Lemurs are found. 
The book highlights words that may be new to a reader or used differently when referring to these animals. I highly recommend this book because it is interesting and the to the point. I learned that lemurs are mainly found in Madagascar. I learned about their daily activities and their babies. This book is good, colorful and informative. There is an AR test available for this book as well. 

Reviewed By: Natalie Nduku ( Midwestern State University Student)

PROM & PREJUDICE

Author (last name first):
Eulburg, Elizabeth
Publisher, Date of Publication: 
Point /2011
Grade Level/ or Age Level: 
6th grade and Up
Classification: 
Fiction  

Prom & Prejudice is a modern day Pride & Prejudice which uses all the names of the original characters from the movie. The story is told from Elizabeth Bennet’s point of view who like the character in Jane Austin’s novel is very brave and sometimes judgmental even though she doesn’t realize it, Lizzie is an only child who is sent to a very prestigious school full of rich kids who measure their class by the designer clothes they wear, who their parents are and being asked to the  most important event during the school year, the prom. Lizzie’s parents are far from rich so she gets into the high society school on a music scholarship and she works in a local coffee shop to help pay for her tuition. She is treated very badly her first semester, so when she comes back the second semester she is very apprehensive and hopeful that things will change for her. Her best friend and roommate Jane convinces her to go to a party one night to see Jane’s true love Charles Bingley. Every time Lizzie goes to a party or school gathering it ends up badly for her and this night was no exception. She meets Caroline, Charles’s snobby sister and Will Darcy, who she instantly takes a disliking to. One of the popular girls in the room purposely spills coffee on her borrowed dress which makes Lizzie feel even more frustrated. When Darcy tries to help she tells him no and attempts to wipe the coffee stain away. Later that night Darcy finds out that Lizzie is a “scholarship kid” and snubs her. He watches her at all the parties she is invited to which conveniently Charles Bingley holds, only to be tortured by his growing feelings towards her. He frequently comes to her work place and walks her home. When she meets Darcy’s worst enemy she feels a kinship with him because he also was a “scholarship kid” and his easy going personality. Jane Austin’s novel Lizzie is judgmental and naïve and she realizes her mistakes but will it be too late to right the wrong she has done to Darcy or will she ever find a love like his again?

The author thanks Jane Austin for her book and states that her book is a tribute to her and not a remake of Austin’s novel. Elizabeth Eulberg did a great job of telling a story that has been a masterpiece for many generations. She put her own spin on the characters and yet stuck to the true nature of the tale. I enjoyed the book very much and couldn’t put it down being the hopeless romantic that I am. This would be a very good book to teach junior high students difference in writing style. There is a AR test available for this book as well.

Reviewed By: Lila Davis (Night Manager/ Display Consultant at Midwestern State University's Moffett Library)

THE LUKY KIND

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author (last name first):
Sheimmel, Alyssa B. 
Publisher, Date of Publication: 
Knopf /2011
Grade Level/ or Age Level: 
6th-12th
Classification: 
Fiction  

 

Nicholas Brandt seems to have the perfect life until he finds out that his father had another son and everyone has known about it but him. As Sam Roth slowly enters Nick's life he is faced with this intense anger and betrayal. He takes his anger out on his new girlfriend Eden and his best friend Steve. It reaches the point where he sees parallels between his father's first relationship and his own which causes him to destroy his new love. Sam and Nick are forced to attend Christmas vacation together they purge the intense feelings between them and Nick realizes he is himself not his father and life and love is what he makes of it. There is an AR test available with this book. 

 

Reviewed By: Nicola Clement (Midwestern State University Student) 

THE VERY LITTLE PRINCESS, ROSE'S STORY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Author (last name first):

Bauer, Marion Dane 

Publisher, Date of Publication:

Random House /2011 

Grade Level/ or Age Level:

1st-3rd 

Classification:

Fiction 

 

This is about a careless girl Rose who finds a little doll made of china in the attic. Although she does not like dolls, she decides to keep this one because it is beautiful and different from all other dolls. As the book continues the doll becomes alive, able to speak and move, Rose is surprised and has a new friend who claims to be a Princess. The doll, Princess Regina orders Rose around  and never wants to leave her side.  The story mainly takes place at Rose's home with her family and her school. As the story continues Rose's careless habits come to light as Princess Regina is left alone for a period of time she falls a sleep. Some light is shed upon relationships with family especially Rose's brother Sam. This book shows a girl in need of a friend getting one and then the time came for them to part it is sad but all girls grow up. Overall it is an interesting and enjoyable book. There is an AR test available for this book as well. 

 

Reviewed By: Natalie Nduku (Midwestern State University Student)  

 

THE UGLY DUCKLING DINOSAUR: A PREHISTORIC TALE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author (last name first):
Bardoe, Cheryl
Publisher, Date of Publication: 
Abrams Books for Young Readers /2011
Grade Level/ or Age Level: 
Kindergarten-3rd
Classification: 
Fiction  

 

This book uses the concept of the ugly duckling but in a different  way to tell a story. The tale is set in prehistoric times. The fairy-tale starts when a prehistoric duck hatches her eggs. One doesn't hatch because it was too big and took longer to hatch. When he is born the little dinosaur is made fun of by their neighbors, who call him ugly. This state causes him to doubt himself because he doesn't look like his siblings. He leaves his mother and siblings to find his own way in their world. Everywhere he goes everyone runs away confirming his fear that he truly is ugly. Will he ever find his confidence and the family he longs for?

The illustrations are colorful and enjoyable to look at. The back of the story tells about the different dinosaurs that the ugly duckling (baby T-Rex) sees. The book includes an author's note, bibliography, suggestions for further reading and artist's note. There is an AR test available for this book as well. 

 

Reviewed By: Lila Davis (Night Circulation Manager at Midwestern State University's Moffett Library)   

FIVE LITTLE MONKEY'S READING IN BED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author (last name first):
Christelow,Elieen
Publisher, Date of Publication: 
Clarion Books /2011
Grade Level/ or Age Level:  

Kindergarten -3rd
Classification: 
Fiction  

 

Five Little Monkey's Reading In Bed is a cute story  about five little monkey's whose mother reads them  two stories and then tells them " Lights out! Sweet dreams!" The little monkey's are not tired and want to read some more books so they repeatedly sneak books which makes them cry,cheer,and laugh loudly prompting their mother to come in and discipline them. She takes alll the books away and makes them turn off the lights and soon the little monkey's hear giggles, then laughter, and then weeping. Who do you think it might be? 

The author does a great job rhyming the sentences and words. Her illustrations are colorful and unique which help tell the story. This book would be great for lower grades because it is easy to read and keeps you guessing what will happen next. There is an AR test available for this book too. 

 

Reviewed By: Lila Davis (Night Circulation Manager at Midwestern State University's Moffett Library) 

DOG PARADE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author (last name first):
Joosse, Barbara
Publisher, Date of Publication: 
Harcourt Children's Books /2011
Grade Level/ or Age Level: 
Pre-K - 1st
Classification: 
Fiction  

 

Dog Parade is a cute story about different dogs dressing up for a parade; It tells the names of the dogs as well as what they dress up as and their feelings about being dressed up in the costume. The illustrations are very colorful. The story is also told in rhyming sequence. The book would be great for younger children who are interested in animals and could be used to teach about rhyming sentences. 

 

Reviewed By: Lila Davis (Night Circulation Manager at Midwestern State University's Moffett Library)