SYLVIA LONG'S THUMBELINA

Author (last name first):
Long, Sylvia

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Chronicle Books /2010

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

4th and Up

Classification:  Fiction 

Retelling of the Anderson fairy tale. This was one of my favorite stories as a child. The illustrations are exquisite and very detailed. Several of the layouts turn the book sideways to view the picture and read the text. Tumbelina is tiny and has adventures with the frog, beetle, field mouse, mole and song bird before marring the fairy prince. There is an AR test for this book. 

Reviewer: Nikki Byrd 

HOW TO DRAW COOL FASHIONS

Author (last name first):
Clay, Kathryn

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Capstone Press/2010

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

6th and Up

Classification:  Non-Fiction 

  Are you more likely to pick up a fashion magazine then a math book? This book helps you master your inner fashionista. It gives you tips for getting started drawing fashions, and give a list of must- have materials you will need to create many different fashion styles. It teaches you to draw trendy, formal, athletic, 1970's retro, skater, Asian, 1920's retro, winter, summer, and punk styles. The back of the book has a glossary, a list of other books you can read,  internet sites and an index.

Reviewer: Lila Davis

 

THE JONAS BROTHERS

Author (last name first):
Besel, Jennifer M.

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Capstone Press/2010

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

1st and Up  

Classification:  Non-Fiction 

The Jonas Brothers isn't just a ban name. Kevin, Joe and Nick are really brothers. Their parents Kevin Sr. and Denise Jonas have always made sure that family comes first. When the brothers were younger Kevin Sr. traveled the country as a minister and songwriter. The family went with him. Paul Kevin Jonas II,  known as Kevin was born in Teaneck, New Jersey, on November 5,1987. One day he was feeling homesick, he found a beginning guitar book and started teaching himself to play. From that moment on he was hooked. Two years later on August 15,1989 his brother Joseph Adam Jonas was born in Casa Grande, Arizona. Growing up Joe was very shy but came out of his shell when he decided to become a comedian. The family was living in Dallas, Texas when Nicholas Jerry Jonas was born on September 16,1992. Nick was born with perfect pitch and loves singing and making music. He also inherited his fathers talent for writing songs. His passion for music eventually led to the Jonas Brother's success. Frankie, the youngest, was born September 28,2000. Frankie also has music in his blood but did not join the Jonas Brother's early because he was to young.The brothers started appearing in LEGO's, Clorox and Burger King commercials. Nick landed roles in Broadway plays. As Nick's career began to take off Joe became more interested in music. He joined Broadway by singing in the opera La Boheme. In November 2005 Nick received news that changed his life forever. At the age of 13, Nick was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. 

Today Kevin, Joe and Nick draw screaming fans where ever they go. They joined the Disney Corporation and in August 2007 they performed during a Hannah Montana show. After that performance the boys popularity exploded. What happens next only time will tell. 

The cover and the pictures are very nice. At the end of the book there is a glossary, other books about them that you can read. 

Reviewer:Lila Davis

ZAC EFRON

Author (last name first):
Llanas,Sheila Griffin

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Capstone Press/2010

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

1st and Up

Classification:  Non-Fiction 

 Zachary Efron was born October 18,1987, in San Luis Obispo California to David and Starla Efron. He has one brother named Dylan Efron who is four years younger. Education was very important to the Efron family. Zac maintained a straight A average and was into lots of sports during school. At the age of eleven Zac was cast in his firs play as a newsboy in the play Gypsy. Zac studied hard to keep his grades up in school but the auditions put a strain on the family finances and time. His parents finally told him he had to get some roles or give up acting. In 2002 he made a small guest appearance on the TV show Firefly. In 2004 Zac's career heated up when he landed a role on the TV drama Summerland.

While working on Summerland. He played a boy with autism in the movie Miracle Run. Soon after Zac learned he would be playing Troy Bolton in High School Musical. It premiered on the Disney Channel movie in January 2006. It is the most watched Disney Channel movie ever. He graduated from Arroyo Grande High School in June 2006.  No matter how big he gets Zac still acts like a regular guy. The cover of the book is well done as well as the pictures of him and his family through out the book.

Reviewer: Lila Davis 

ZINC ALLOY COLDFINGER

Author (last name first):
Lemke, Donald

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Stone Arch Books/2010

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

2nd and Up

Classification:  Fiction 

Zack Allen (aka Zinc Alloy) goes on a skiing trip with his parents. When he arrives he meets his crush Monique who is there with her boyfriend Johnny who has entered a skiing competition. Zack wants to impress Monique so he enters too. While getting ready for the competition he falls into a hole in a mountain where Mr. Icee an evil scientist's has a secret laboratory. He discovers that Mr. Icee is planning to freeze the world to make every one in it his minions. Zack puts on his Zinc Alloy suit and fights Mr. Icee. 

The story is very captivating for a young reader. There is a section in the back of the book that explains Zack's abilities,  about the author and illustrator, a glossary, discussion questions, writing prompts, winter vacation survival tips,  and much more. 


Reviewer: Lila Davis

PRINCESS CANDY SUGER HERO

Author (last name first):
Dahl, Michael, & Nickel Scott

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Stone Arch Books/2010

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

2nd and Up

Classification:  Fiction 

Halo Nightly (aka Princess Candy) isn't your normal average girl. When Halo turns eleven her grandma nightly, a cab driver, gives her a present from her favorite aunt Pandora. The present contains special candy that gives Halo powers when eaten. Halo's nemesis Doozie Hiss (aka Medusa) is caught stealing a test to maintain her straight A average. Only Doozie isn't a normal girl. Her mother who was a genetic scientist put a special hair gel on Doozie's  hair. It was meant to tame her daughter's hair, but when Doozie's father applys the prototype product, Doozie's hair turns deadly, with her lizard locks. She became the evil Medusa. Princess Candy uses her candy to fight Medusa and turned her into the authorities. There is a section in the back of the book that explains Halo's abilities, about the author and illustrator, glossary, discussion questions, writing prompts, and miscellaneous material.

Reviewer:Lila Davis

PRINCESS CANDY THE GREEN QUEEN OF MEAN

Author (last name first):
Dahl, Michael, & Nickel Scott

Publisher, Date of Publication: 

Stone Arch Books/2010

Grade Level/ or Age Level: 

2nd and Up

Classification:  Fiction 

In another adventure with Halo Nightly (aka Princess Candy) we return to face Halo's enemy Doozie Hiss. When Halo is paired up with the new girl Flora Fawn (aka The Green Queen) for an environmental  project, they finish their project to present it in class the next morning, when Halo leaves her flash drive in her computer Doozie Hiss steals and replaces with a faulty one, they get detention. On her way out Doozie Hiss throws a can on the ground and makes Flora so mad that she turns into The Green Queen. The Green Queen decides to make Doozie pay by using her powers to conjure up a huge snapdragon. Princess Candy uses her magic candy to fight The Green Queen and pulls out a different candy that defeats the snapdragon as well as making a beautiful flower garden. She teaches Doozie to pick up her discarded can, and also teaches Flora that sometimes people need to see what is good instead of hearing what is wrong. There is a section in the back of the book that explains Flora's abilities, about the author and illustrator, a glossary, discussion questions, writing prompts, and much more.

Reviewer: Lila Davis