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.

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!!

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.

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!!

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!!

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. 

Marty McGuire

Messner, Kate. (2011). Marty mcguire.  New York: Scholastic.

(Grades 2-4) Marty McGuire will be playing a princess in the third grade play, The Frog Prince.  Every girl's dream, right? Wrong!  Marty is a tomboy and hates wearing dresses or anything frilly!  She is forced to take on the role and has devised a plan to make the play a little more interesting!

Marty McGuire is one likable girl.  She's a tomboy that many students will be able to relate to and will have kids laughing and giggling.  I'm very excited about this new series and the kiddos will be too.  Great for kids beginning to read chapter books. 

The second book in the series, Marty McGuire Digs Worms, is already out! 

Escape Under the Forever Sky

Yohalem, Eve. (2009).  Escape under the forever sky.  New York: Scholastic.
2012 Bluebonnet Book

(Grades 5-8) Lucy is the 13 year old daughter of the U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia.  Being the daughter of the Ambassador is quite restricting and allows for little freedom which Lucy longs for.  Lucy sneaks out of the house with a friend and is kidnapped and held for ransom.  She escapes her kidnappers and has only her knowledge of the wilderness to help keep her alive from lions, hyenas, snakes, lack of water, and food.

This book is loosely based on actual events that happened in June of 2005.  This book will satisy the need for adventure and will have readers engrossed. I really enjoyed this book and Yaholem did a wonderful job with her description of the African wilderness. 

Little Owl's Night

Srinivasan, Divya. (2011). Little owl's night.  New York: Penguin Group.

Okay, I'll admit it!  I bought the book because I fell in love with the adorable cover and I just adore owls.  I didn't even browse through the book.  NOPE!  Didn't even flip through or skim the pages.  I bought it just because of the cover...and that's okay!  The cover of the book did not let me down.  This book is sweet and there's something simply whimsical about it. 

Owl takes us on a journey through the beauty of night.  We are introduced to many of his nocturnal friends such as raccoon and hedgehog.  He wants to share the night with Bear, but Bear does not wake up. When it begins to get late and it's Little Owl's bedtime, he asks his mama, "...tell me again how night ends."  She tells him, "The moon and stars fade to ghosts," and "Moonflowers close and morning glories open..." 

Beautiful book that kids will enjoy again and again while they're lulled to sleep.

Gravett, Emily.  (2010). Blue chameleon.  New York:  Simon & Schuster

(Pre-k - 1) Poor lonely chameleon.  This little guy is just looking for a friend in all the wrong places.  Chameleon tries to befriend a sock, boot, banana, rock, and a few others.  Chameleon changes his colors and his stance in his attempt to become friends with these objects.  You don't need to worry, though.  His quest in finding a friend is fulfilled along with a colorful ending.

I have become a big fan of Emily Gravett.  Her illustrations are beautiful and I even love the paper on which the book is written.  Emily Gravett even makes the inside cover, title page, and inside-back cover fun!

Aliens on Vacation

Smith, Clete Barrett. (2011). Aliens on vacation.  New York: Scholastic.
Bluebonnet book

(Grades 5-8)Scrub, real name David, is not too happy about having to spend the summer with his quirky grandmother in Washington.  She runs a strange little bed and breakfast called the Intergalactic Bed & Breakfast.  Scrub begins to notice that the patrons of his grandmother's B&B act, speak, and look a little strange.  His grandmother entrusts him with the secret that the patrons are really aliens visiting earth for a little rest and relaxation.  Scrub is given the, not so easy, task of attempting to make the aliens look as normal as possible.  Scrub also has to make sure that nobody discovers the secret of the bed & breakfast, which is difficult when you have a cute neighbor, Amy, snooping around.

This book took a little bit to get warmed up, but the descriptions of the aliens are funny and the trouble that ensues, when Scrub takes three aliens on a camping trip, will have readers wanting more.  Kids will identify with Scrub because he is a likable character that struggles with the same issues as real kids.


 

The Wednesday Wars

Schmidt, Gary D. (2007).  The wednesday wars.  New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Newbery Honor

(Grades 5-9)  Poor Holling Hoodhood is stuck with Mrs. Baker, his seventh grade teacher, every Wednesday afternoon while the rest of the class goes to religious classes.  Holling just knows that Mrs. Baker can't stand him.  His belief is confirmed when Mrs. Baker has Holling read Shakespeare's plays so that they can discuss it during their time together. 

Set in the 1960's, Schmidt creates some very likeable and memorable characters.  I loved this book.  You need to meet these fun characters and let Holling teach you about Shakespeare, cream puffs, rats, and bullies.  I wish more books were written like this.  Books that make you laugh out loud and cry along with characters.  Books with characters that you wish were real.  Books that you hate to see end. Books like this make students want to read.  They create readers.  If you don't pick up this book and love it as much as I did, I say, "Toads, beetles, bats!"

Misty Gordon and the Mystery of the Ghost Pirates

Kennedy, Kim.  (2010).  Misty gordon and the mystery of the ghost pirates.  New York: Amulet Books.
2012 Bluebonnet Book

(Grades 3-6) Misty Gordon comes from a quirky family.  Her father owns a shop called D.E.A.D. (Deceased's Estate and Antique Dealer).  Misty finds an old pair of glasses that used to belong to the deceased Madame Zaster that allows her to see ghosts.  Her father gives her an old phone from Fannie Belcher's estate which contains an old diary which discusses the Golden Three.  Misty enlists the help of her best friend, Yoshi, to help uncover the mystery of the Golden Three which must be found before their town is destroyed by ghost pirates.

This book has magic glasses, a crystal ball, pirates, ghosts, a walking fur coat, and a touch of greek mythology.  It took a little bit for the book to warm up, but it has plenty of silly moments that students will enjoy. 

Sea of Dreams

Nolan, Dennis. ( 2011).  Sea of dreams.  New York: Roaring Book Press.

(K-3)  A little girl builds a sand castle and leaves the beach at the end of the day.  The tide is coming in and her beautiful sand castle is about to meet its fate when a light comes on in the window.  A tiny family must flee the castle on a little boat to find a new home.  They embark on a journey of great adventure that only the ocean can give.  A wordless picture book with stunning and brilliant illustrations that are nothing short of magical.  A book to be enjoyed again and again and again...

Like Pickle Juice on a Cookie

Sternberg, Julie. (2011). Like pickle juice on a cookie.  New York: Amulet Books.
2012 Bluebonnet Book


(grades 2-4) Eight year old Eleanor's beloved babysitter, Bibi, has moved away.  It is the worst month of her life.  It's like pickle juice on a cookie.  Natalie is Eleanor's new babysitter and is sensitive to Eleanor's grief.  Eleanor struggles with doing activities with Natalie that she used to do with Bibi.

This book is just charming.  I loved it so much that I read it aloud with my class.  They fell in love with the book also.  The book is written in free verse and is simply poetic.  They are a few sweet illustrations scattered here and there that only add to the book's charm.

Hamster Magic

Jonell, Lynne.  (2010).  Hamster magic.  New York: Random House.
2012 Bluebonnet Book

(Grades 2-4)  Four siblings discover that they have a talking hamster.  Not only can Hammy, the hamster, speak, he can also grant a wish...a hamster wish.  Celia, the youngest of the siblings, is tired of being the littlest and wishes to be big; however, her granted wish didn't turn out quite the way she had hoped.  It is up to her siblings to find the Great Hamster to reverse the wish. 

I wasn't the biggest fan of this book and decided to read it aloud to my students to see if they would enjoy it.  They ate it up!  They loved the talking hamster, the magic, and the silliness of it all.  This is the first book in a series.  The next book in the series will be Lawnmower Magic.

The Duckling Gets a Cookie

  Willems, Mo.  (2012).  The duckling gets a cookie.  New York: Hyperion Books for Children.


The pigeon is back!!  YAY!!!  His little friend, Duckling, politely asks for a cookie and is given one.  You can only begin to imagine how our friend the pigeon is going to react.  The pigeon will have you laughing out loud with his crazy antics and tantrums.  This is the 7th book in the pigeon series and if you have never read any of the pigeon books, well, you're definitely missing out!

Mo Willems is a master at giving his characters voice and personality through his simple and award-winning illustrations.  I went and picked up this book the day it was released.  I just couldn't wait to get my hands on it and read it to my students the very next day.  My kiddos were ecstatic when they saw what I had in my hands when I came to the carpet for one of our daily read alouds.

Wonder Struck

Selznick, Brian. (2011). Wonderstruck.  New York:  Scholastic Press.
2012 Bluebonnet Book


Double-page pencil drawings, set in 1927, follow the story of a girl named Rose who is deaf.  Rose escapes to New York to find her mother, an actress.  The text, set in 1977, follows Ben, a boy who loses his hearing from a lightning strike and has recently lost his beloved mother.  Ben has never met his father and begins a journey to New York to find him.  Rose and Ben are connected, but the answer to "how?" is found at the end of this magnificent read. 

Although this book is more than 600 pages, it is a quick read and a feast for the eyes. I loved this book and devoured it quickly!

The One and Only Ivan

Applegate, Katherine. (2012).  The one and only ivan. New York: Harper.


Ivan is a gorilla that has been living in a glass enclosure at the mall for 27 years.  He watches TV and draws pictures while visitors come and gawk at him.  His friend Stella, an elephant, and an old stray dog named Bob keep him company at the mall.  A baby elephant named Ruby arrives and Ivan promises Stella that he will take care of her.  When Stella dies, Ivan comes up with a plan to fulfill his promise to Stella.

The One and Only Ivan is inspired by a real gorilla.  Ivan is the narrator of his story and it is written in short, poetic paragraphs.  Sweet, black and white illustrations capture the mood of this lovely and endearing story.  I absolutely adore this book, not just because I'm an animal lover, but because Ivan reminds us about caring for others and following your dreams.

Wonder

Palacio, R.J. (2012).  Wonder. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

August Pullman is a fifth grader that was born with severe facial abnormalities.  He has been home-schooled his whole life and is about to embark on a new journey...private school.  Will Auggie get his classmates so see beyond his appearance and see the kind, funny, and smart boy that he is or will it be like, what his father described as, sending a "lamb to the slaughter?"

Wonder is just wonderful!  One of my favorite books I have read this year.  I could hardly put down this exceptional story about family, friendship, acceptance, courage, and the human spirit.  The characters in this story linger around your heart and mind long after you have finished the book.  Definitely a book you will have a hard time putting down!  It made me laugh out loud and cry.

The False Prince

Nielsen, Jennifer A. (2012). The false prince.  New York: Scholastic Press.

The kingdom of Carthya is on the verge of civil war after the king and his family have been poisoned. Conner, one of the king's noblemen, has brought Sage, a clever 15 year old orphan, and two other orphans to compete for the role as the king's long-lost son, Prince Jaron, to prevent the impendig war.  Sage begins to learn that Conner's motives are less than honorable and only one orphan will survive.

I found The False Prince, the first book in a trilogy, hard to put down.  It had many plot twists, surprises, and a great characters.  Sage is defiant, stubborn, smart, and savvy.  I looking forward to learning more about him in the next book.