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.