A Tale Dark and Grimm is the first book in a trilogy. I couldn't put this book down. It was different from so many of the books I have read and it was just a lot of fun! I love the Grimm fairy tales and this was deliciously entertaining! A definite must read.
Monday, June 17, 2013
A Tale Dark and Grimm
Gidwitz, Adam. (2010). A tale dark and grimm. Dutton Children's Books: New York.
(Grades 4-6) Hansel and Gretel go on some adventures in this debut novel from Adam Gidwitz. Gidwitz weaves several of the Grimm fairy tales into one gruesome and delightful book. Gidwitz is the narrator and gives you fair warning when something gruesome is about to happen. He also gives a deeper insight into the happenings.
A Tale Dark and Grimm is the first book in a trilogy. I couldn't put this book down. It was different from so many of the books I have read and it was just a lot of fun! I love the Grimm fairy tales and this was deliciously entertaining! A definite must read.
A Tale Dark and Grimm is the first book in a trilogy. I couldn't put this book down. It was different from so many of the books I have read and it was just a lot of fun! I love the Grimm fairy tales and this was deliciously entertaining! A definite must read.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Potter, Ellen. (2012). The humming room. New York: Feiwel and Friends.
(Grades 4-6) Roo has had a traumatic childhood and her parents have just been murdered. She is sent to live with an uncle that she has never met. Her uncle lives on an island in the St. Lawrence river in upstate New York. Soon after moving in, she begins to hear humming and crying. She is determined to find the source and soon discovers a closed-off, dead garden, a reclusive cousin, and an unusual boy.
Potter has written a book that pays homage to The Secret Garden with a modern twist. Roo is a likable character and teaches us that we can all start over.
(Grades 4-6) Roo has had a traumatic childhood and her parents have just been murdered. She is sent to live with an uncle that she has never met. Her uncle lives on an island in the St. Lawrence river in upstate New York. Soon after moving in, she begins to hear humming and crying. She is determined to find the source and soon discovers a closed-off, dead garden, a reclusive cousin, and an unusual boy.Potter has written a book that pays homage to The Secret Garden with a modern twist. Roo is a likable character and teaches us that we can all start over.
Okay for Now
Schmidt, Gary D. (2011). Okay for now. New York: Clarion Books.
(Grades 5-9) Every once in a while a book comes along where you just can't wait to share it with people. This is that book. This book will break you heart and also bring you renewed hope.
Okay for Now is the sequal to the Newbery Honor Book, The Wednesday Wars, but you do NOT have to read The Wednesday Wars to enjoy this book. Set in the 1960s Doug Swieteck has an abusive father, a brother in Vietnam, and a bully for another brother. His father loses his job and moves the family to a small town. Things don't start off too well for Doug. The police suspect his brother for a series of break-ins, Eighth grade hasn't started off particularly well, and his brother returns from Vietnam without his legs; however, the kindness of a librarian, a teacher, and a girl named Lil are just what Doug needs.
Okay for Now is "darker" than The Wednesday Wars, but superb!! Schmidt has done an outstanding job using voice and has created a novel that is simply beautiful. A definite must read!!
(Grades 5-9) Every once in a while a book comes along where you just can't wait to share it with people. This is that book. This book will break you heart and also bring you renewed hope. Okay for Now is the sequal to the Newbery Honor Book, The Wednesday Wars, but you do NOT have to read The Wednesday Wars to enjoy this book. Set in the 1960s Doug Swieteck has an abusive father, a brother in Vietnam, and a bully for another brother. His father loses his job and moves the family to a small town. Things don't start off too well for Doug. The police suspect his brother for a series of break-ins, Eighth grade hasn't started off particularly well, and his brother returns from Vietnam without his legs; however, the kindness of a librarian, a teacher, and a girl named Lil are just what Doug needs.
Okay for Now is "darker" than The Wednesday Wars, but superb!! Schmidt has done an outstanding job using voice and has created a novel that is simply beautiful. A definite must read!!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Round Up: A Texas Number Book
Crane, Carol. (2003). Round up: a texas number book. Michigan: Sleeping Bear Press.
(K-3) This counting book uses people, animals, places, and things that are connecting with the Lone Star State. Rhymes are used to present the number and the illustrations portray addition and multiplication. Each illustration contains a commentary regarding the historical figures, animals, and people that are depicted.
The illustrations are richly colored and do justice to this great state of ours. I highly recommend this book...especially if live in Texas!
I stumbled across this book when I was in Waco, Texas visiting the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. I flipped through the pages and couldn't leave the gift shop without it.
The author and illustrator of Round Up also teamed up for L is for Lone Star: a Texas Alphabet. Perfect duo for any library or personal collection.
(K-3) This counting book uses people, animals, places, and things that are connecting with the Lone Star State. Rhymes are used to present the number and the illustrations portray addition and multiplication. Each illustration contains a commentary regarding the historical figures, animals, and people that are depicted.The illustrations are richly colored and do justice to this great state of ours. I highly recommend this book...especially if live in Texas!
I stumbled across this book when I was in Waco, Texas visiting the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. I flipped through the pages and couldn't leave the gift shop without it.
The author and illustrator of Round Up also teamed up for L is for Lone Star: a Texas Alphabet. Perfect duo for any library or personal collection.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Silly Doggy
Stower, Adam. (2011). Silly doggy. New York: Orchard Books.
(PreK-2) This book to PRECIOUS!! Fearless Lily looks out the window and spies something wonderful. She cries out, "Doggy!" She uses her scarf as a leash and leads the doggy to the house where her mom says she cannot keep him. If mom had been paying attention, she would have seen that this was not a doggy, but a BEAR! Lily makes a poster to find the owners of the doggy that are surely missing him. She lists all the reasons why he is a very silly doggy. The zookeeper, Theodore Wilde, sees the poster and comes to claim the doggy. Lily is very sad that her doggy was taken, but when she wakes the next morning there is something wonderful in her garden..."Kitty!"
The illustrations keep you laughing and Lily is one great girl. Lily has me grinning from ear to ear with her fearless antics. I just love how she uses her scarf as a leash. The "doggy" doesn't mind it one bit. Great book for read alouds. A wonderful book about mistaken identity!!
(PreK-2) This book to PRECIOUS!! Fearless Lily looks out the window and spies something wonderful. She cries out, "Doggy!" She uses her scarf as a leash and leads the doggy to the house where her mom says she cannot keep him. If mom had been paying attention, she would have seen that this was not a doggy, but a BEAR! Lily makes a poster to find the owners of the doggy that are surely missing him. She lists all the reasons why he is a very silly doggy. The zookeeper, Theodore Wilde, sees the poster and comes to claim the doggy. Lily is very sad that her doggy was taken, but when she wakes the next morning there is something wonderful in her garden..."Kitty!"
The illustrations keep you laughing and Lily is one great girl. Lily has me grinning from ear to ear with her fearless antics. I just love how she uses her scarf as a leash. The "doggy" doesn't mind it one bit. Great book for read alouds. A wonderful book about mistaken identity!!Thursday, May 24, 2012
Clever Jack Takes the Cake
Fleming, Candace. (2010). Clever jack takes the cake. New York:Schwartz & Wade Books.
2012 Bluebonnet Book
(K-2) Jack has been invited to the princess' birthday party, but he is too poor and has nothing to give her as a gift. He sells some of his belongings and purchases items to bake her a cake. Along the way to the castle,with cake in hand for the party, Jack encounters many obstacles and by the time he reaches the castle, the cake is gone. What will Jack present to the princess on her birthday?
I love the adventures Jack encounters on his way to the castle: an ogre, blackbirds, a bear, and a dark forest. Fleming is creative and created a story that kiddos will love and the ending makes it all the better. The colors and tones of the illustrations make this book even more beautiful. Definitely a book that needs to be added to any collection. I just love how smart this book is!!
2012 Bluebonnet Book
(K-2) Jack has been invited to the princess' birthday party, but he is too poor and has nothing to give her as a gift. He sells some of his belongings and purchases items to bake her a cake. Along the way to the castle,with cake in hand for the party, Jack encounters many obstacles and by the time he reaches the castle, the cake is gone. What will Jack present to the princess on her birthday? I love the adventures Jack encounters on his way to the castle: an ogre, blackbirds, a bear, and a dark forest. Fleming is creative and created a story that kiddos will love and the ending makes it all the better. The colors and tones of the illustrations make this book even more beautiful. Definitely a book that needs to be added to any collection. I just love how smart this book is!!
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Marty McGuire Digs Worms
Messner, Kate. (2012). Marty mcguire digs worms. New York: Scholastic.
(Grades 2-4) This is the second book in the Marty McGuire series and it does not disappoint! This time around Marty is trying to win a contest for creating the best earth-friendly project. Her and her best friend, Annie, first try to make recycled paper. In true Marty fashion, things don't go quite as planned. Marty's cool grandmother comes to the rescue with an, what seems to be, outstanding idea which includes worms. If you read the first book, you know there's going to be some fun, and mishaps, with the worms.
I love Marty and this series and you will too! Great series for kids beginning to read chapter books.
(Grades 2-4) This is the second book in the Marty McGuire series and it does not disappoint! This time around Marty is trying to win a contest for creating the best earth-friendly project. Her and her best friend, Annie, first try to make recycled paper. In true Marty fashion, things don't go quite as planned. Marty's cool grandmother comes to the rescue with an, what seems to be, outstanding idea which includes worms. If you read the first book, you know there's going to be some fun, and mishaps, with the worms.I love Marty and this series and you will too! Great series for kids beginning to read chapter books.
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