WITH ALL MY HEART

Author (last name first):Rock,Brian
Publisher,Date of Publication:
Grade Level/ or Age Level:
Head Start-3rd Grade
Classification: 
Fiction 

During a game of tag, Jacob asks Momma Bear which of her two cubs she loves best. She sings the praises of each of her children, Jacob for his artistic talent and Casey for her dancing ability. She loves both of them for the way they make her laugh. The cubs are discontented and press her to choose. "You cubs are both a part of me," she responds, and explains her love for them to the impossibility of preferring one paw or one arm over the other. She needs two paws to applaud her cubs and two arms to hug each of them close.

This is a very good book for children with siblings and it teaches them that their parents love for each of them is different, but yet the same in the amounts of love they share. 

Reviewed By: Donnicia James (Student) and Lila Davis (M.S.U's Moffett Library Night Circulation Manager)

A HOME FOR BIRD

Author (last name first):Stead,Philip C.
Publisher,Date of Publication:Roaring Book Press/2012 
Grade Level/ or Age Level:
Head Start-3rd Grade
Classification: 
Fiction 

While out foraging for things, Vernon the toad found a new friend, a small blue bird who is always silent. Vernon shows the blue bird many different places and some of his favorite things and bird still says nothing. Vernon takes it upon himself to help his new friend find his home. They take many ways to travel and soon come to a farm to rest for the night. Will Vernon be able to help his new friend find his home?

This is a delightful book with many washed out colorful drawings. It teaches children to never give up on one of their friends. It also teaches children that helping a friend in need can be rewarding.

Reviewed By: Donnicia James (Student) and Lila Davis (M.S.U's Moffett Library Night Circulation Manager)

THE SMILEY BOOK OF COLORS

Author (last name first):Kaiser,Ruth
Publisher,Date of Publication:Golden Books/2012 
Grade Level/ or Age Level:
Head Start-1st Grade
Classification: 
Non-Fiction 
This books unique hardcover, which grew out of the popular website Spontaneous Smiley will appeal to children and adults everywhere. What child can resist the crazy, delightful smiley faces to be found in photos of multi-colored objects? Little readers will enjoy learning their colors as they're identifying what the smileys are made from noodles, a pocket, even a tree and readers of all ages will be thankful for the entertaining rhyming text, and its encouraging message about choosing the joy in smiles.

Reviewed By: Donnica James (Student) and Lila Davis (M.S.U's Moffett Library Night Circulation Manager)

DEAR DRAGON GOES TO THE BANK

Author (last name first):Hillert, Margaret
Publisher,Date of Publication:

Grade Level/ or Age Level:

Head Start-2nd Grade 
Classification: 
Fiction 
In this story a little boy and his pet dragon go to the big bank because the little boy’s dragon broke his piggy bank. The little boy’s father takes him and the dragon to the town bank and open’s an account for him. Then they go to the store and buy a new bank for the little boy and take it home to show his mother.

This book includes an instructional note to caregivers, a word list, and activities to promote reading success. The illustrations are colorful and help tell the story. I would recommend this book to young children as a reading tool to learn to read. 

Reviewed By: Donnica James (Student) and Lila Davis (M.S.U's Moffett Library Night Circulation Manager)

ES PRIMAVERA,QUERIDO DRAGON/ IT'S SPRING, DEAR DRAGON

Author (last name first):Hillert, Margaret
Publisher,Date of Publication:

Grade Level/ or Age Level:

Head Start-2nd Grade 
Classification: 
Fiction 

Margaret Hillert introduces a new story in her Dear Dragon series. The little boy and his dragon get stuck inside when it rains and the boy’s mother takes the time to explain that the water is a good thing for the outside world. The story covers the spring months of March and April and tells about the things that kids do during the spring outside. Dragon joins his friend and watches while the little boy tries each of the games other kids are playing.

This book includes an instructional note to caregivers, a word list, and activities to promote reading success. This book is bilingual book and can be read in Spanish or English to children. The illustrations are wonderfully colorful and helps tell the story as you read. I would recommend this book to young children as a reading tool to learn to read. 

Reviewed By: Donnica James (Student) and Lila Davis (M.S.U's Moffett Library Night Circulation Manager)

TWICE UPON A TIME BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Author (last name first): Mass, Wendy Publisher,Date of Publication:Scholastic Press/June 1, 2012

Grade Level/ or Age Level:

5th Grade and Up/ages 12 and up
Classification: 
Fiction 

Beauty, whose name really is Beauty, has just gone through a sudden financial change. Her father lost a large order for books at sea. As a result Beauty must look for a job. On this search she makes good friends and goes on a terrific adventure which, though it was not very successful has allowed her to develop strength of character and will. 

Riley is a very misunderstood prince. He likes to experiment and searches for the true meaning of the Universe. After a serious accident in which Riley almost loses his life, the family decides to travel to another kingdom for a celebration. On the way they are stopped by a witch. She uses the family's jokes to change him into a beast and to make his family invisible. 

Riley's brother sets out with help and manages to find girls who would try to fall in love with Riley. In the process he finds Beauty who not only gives Riley a chance, but frees him from the spell and helps all the other captives of the witch as well. 

Reviewed By: Nicola Clement (Midwestern State University Education Student)
   

AURACLE

Author (last name first): Rosati,Gina Publisher,Date of Publication:Roaring Brook Press/2012

Grade Level/ or Age Level:

5th Grade and Up/12 and up
Classification: 
Fiction 

Anna Rogan is special. She can astral project out of her body, allowing the spirit to explore the world and the fare reaches of the universe. The only person who knows is her best friend Rai and he was there when she did it for the first time.

Anna and Rai have a best friend Seth. The most popular girl in school right now, Taylor, is in-love with him but he couldn't care less. Girls are trouble and the most obvious proof is his mother who walked out on the family and never looked back, leaving her son with deep seated anger issues. Then Taylor steals his phone and demands Seth come get it at the waterfall. Anna uses her secret skill and follows them there just in case. The two have an altercation and Taylor slips, sliding into the waterfall and dies. It wasn't Seth's fault. He tried his best to save Taylor. 

Anna stays as long as she can to make sure that Seth is ok but when she returns to her body there is one problem. Taylor's in it and has her sights set on revenge.  

Reviewed By: Nicola Clement (Midwestern State University Education Student)   

THE FALSE PRINCE

Author (last name first): Nielsen, Jennifer A. Publisher,Date of Publication:Scholastic/February 1, 2013

Grade Level/ or Age Level:

5th Grade and Up/12 and up
Classification: 
Fiction 

A man of means comes to the orphanage where Sage lives and picks him out of several boys. Sage tries to get away but realizes that running means forfeiting his life. This man is trying to prevent a revolution by placing a false prince on the thrown but the way he goes about it is very cunning and devious. The other boys with him know they must succeed to live or this time add a higher element of danger. 

Sage must prove that he can pretend to be a prince, save a kingdom, but most importantly, stay alive and stay true to himself.

Reviewed By Nicola Clement (Midwestern State University Education Student)    

THE GIRL IS TROUBLE

Author (last name first): Miller Haynes, Kathey  
Publisher,Date of Publication:Roaring Brook Press/July 3, 2012

Grade Level/ or Age Level:

5th Grade and Up/12 and up
Classification: 
Fiction 

Iris Anderson is a Jew, whose father is an ex-Army officer turned private detective. He is currently contemplating allowing Iris to work for him in a greater capacity then secretary when she discovers one of his most hidden secrets: the evidence photo's of her mother's supposed suicide. 

On seeing them, it is very obvious to Iris that it was murder and she sets out the help of her best friend Pearl and sometimes her crush Benny to find the truth of what really happened. As she searches, she delves into family secrets and all works to solve another minor mystery of which Benny my very well be the culprit.

Iris is not the girl who is trouble, but rather the girl who attracts trouble because everywhere she turns danger is right on her trail.

Reviewed By: Nicola Clement (Midwestern State University Education Student) 

  

SKINNY

Author (last name first): Cooner, Donna 
Publisher,Date of Publication:Point /October 1, 2012

Grade Level/ or Age Level:

5th Grade and Up/12 and up
Classification: 
Fiction 

Since losing her mother, Ever Davies, has gained almost 200 pounds and lost all of her self-confidence. She thinks her family doesn't like her and the boy she is crushing on will never want her unless she loses weight. There is the added bonus of Skinny,a part of her psyche who tells her what everyone else thinks about her and none of it is pleasant. The only constant in her life is Rat, her best friend since she could remember. 

Desperate for a change, Ever has a weight loss operation and with her best friend Rat at her side, helps her get adjusted and encourages her all the way. She realizes that her family does want her in their life. She can make new friends all on her own, and love is not where she thought it was but right by her side all along.  

Reviewed By: Nicola Clement (Midwestern State University Education Student)    

LOVE? MAYBE

Author (last name first): Hepler, Heather
Publisher,Date of Publication:Dial Books/2012

Grade Level/ or Age Level:

5th Grade and Up/12 and up
Classification: 
Fiction 

Piper Paisley is as cynical as they when it comes to love and ironically her birthday is on Valentine's Day. 

Having experienced two divorces,and several failed relationships, she feels justified in her cynicism but Piper still has a lot to learn about life. She  is about to encounter some important lessons that are thaught to her by the important people in her life without ever even knowing.  

There's Jillian who comes up with The Plan that starts all. Clare who gives her all stands by her side no matter what. Jan who holds her confidences and offers wise words of wisdom. Charlie who has always been there and has never given up on her, and her Mom who has supported her decisions. These are the people who will work hard to teach her that love has not deserted her and is definitely worth the wait. 

Reviewed By: Nicola Clement (Midwestern State University Student)      

DOG LOVES DRAWING

Author (last name first): Yates, Louise Publisher,Date of Publication:Knopf Books for Young Readers/August 14, 2012

Grade Level/ or Age Level:

Prekindergarten and Up/Ages 4 and up
Classification: 
Fiction


This book by Yates is likely to inspire almost any child to take up paper, pencil, and ink and start drawing. The main character in question is aptly named Dog. Dog opens up mysterious door on a page. He then creates a marvelous stick figure world of people, doodles, and a story to accompany the drawings. The book has satisfactory and somewhat expected conclusion. This would be a great addition to a school library, home library, or an art teacher's inspiration corner. 


Reviewed By: Andrea Williams (Associate Univ. Librarian for Public Services/CML)

THE LIST

Author (last name first): Vivian, Siobhan Publisher,Date of Publication:Push / April 1, 2012

Grade Level/ or Age Level:

9th grade and Up/Ages 12 and up
Classification: 
Fiction 

The List is a book upon which I have mixed feelings. I love the plot but I am not quite sure if the final execution is worth the reading. The list covers in high school setting a notorious list of the pretty girl and ugly girl covering the four years of high school. The adults as usual are fairly clueless to what is happening, but the effect on the girls during high school who for unknown reasons wind up on this list can be a scorched earth. Some of the narration of the girls simply does not always hold interest, e.g. Lauren, the former home schooled teen who turns rebellious when she becomes a favored girl in a new setting. I think the problem area is that some of the stories need more meat in coverage and come across as something that has been chopped up to fit a short novel format. This does not mean a bad tale it just means from my point of view that it is an interesting ideal but not the world's greatest young adult novel. On a scale of 1-5,I'd rank it 3.5.

Reviewed By: Andrea Williams (Associate Univ. Librarian for Public Services/CML)
   

JUNIE B., FIRST GRADER TURKEYS WE HAVE LOVED AND EATEN (AND OTHER THANKFUL STUFF)

Author (last name first): Park, Barbara

Publisher,Date of Publication:Random House Books for Young Readers / August 7, 2012

Grade Level/ or Age Level:  

Gr2-Up/Ages 6 and up 
Classification: 
Fiction 

Junie B. Jones, the first grader with an attitude, is at it again. This time she and her classmates are trying to think of what they are thankful for during the Thanksgiving season. If you have read any of the titles in the long running series you will enjoy the laugh out loud humor and Junie's plain spoken ways. From tattletale classmates to a long suffering teacher all the favorites are back. If you never read any of the titles this is a quick read and likely to be enjoyed by both adults and children. This book is a good chapter book for kids who are up to reading those kinds of works too. 

Reviewed By: Andrea Williams(Associate Univ. Librarian for Public Services/CML)