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Science Fiction (3/3)

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

Ender Wiggens is one of many talented children assigned to attend Battle School where they are being trained to fight to save the planet Earth.  It has a very thought provoking ending!

Escape From Arylon by Jo Whittemore

Megan Haney and Ainsley Minks are not friends! But through a freak accident they find themselves transported to another world, Arylon.  In Arylon they encounter dragons, crystal rooms and magic.  Somehow they must get home, but not before they help the king get back the Staff of Lexiam, which has been stolen, for if it remains in the wrong hands, it could have dire consequences for not only Arylon but Earth as well.

Onaj’s Horn by Jo Whittemore

The third in the Silverskin Legacy, this book is another adventure with Megan and Ainsley, as they try to save the planet Arylon from the evil Evron.

Historical Fiction (4/4)

The Whispering Road by Livi Michael

Joe and Annie run away from an abusive situation in a workhouse to a life of traveling fairs, gangs, and underground newspapers in Manchester England.

Stones in Water by Donna Jo Napoli

This is a story about Roberto, an Italian boy who is kidnapped by German soldiers, along with several other Italian boys and taken away to work for the Germans in building airport runways, holding pens, and any other grueling work that needed to be done.  He has a friend Samuele, who is Jewish and gets caught up in the kidnapping and it is up to Roberto to help protect him.  They have some pretty close calls.

Fire in the Hills by Donna Jo Napoli

This is the sequel to “Stones in Water.”  It is the continuing story of Roberto and the role he plays in the Italian Resistance.

The Butterfly by Patricia Polacco

Monique awakes in the middle of the night to a ghost sitting on the end of her bed.  The ghost is another young girl like herself, but before she can say or do anything the ghost runs away.  When the ghost comes again another night, Monique realizes it isn’t a ghost at all, but a girl that has been living in her basement. 

The setting is WWII and the relationship that develops between the girls puts both families in harm’s way.

Nonfiction/Informational (12/6)

Understanding the Lord of the Rings by Ted Hodges

An interesting book about the JRR Tolkien and insights and understandings of his book The Lord of the Rings.

Sir Cumference and the First Round Table: a math adventure by Cindy Neuschwander

King Aurthor’s kingdom is under attack and he is having a hard time conducting a meeting with all of his brave knights because the table they have to sit around causes confusion and does not promote discussion.  But with the help of Sir Cumference and his beautiful wife Di of Ameter, the problem is solved and the kingdom is saved. (An Awesome Book!)

The Hershey’s Kisses Addition Book by Jerry Pallotta

Pallotta uses clowns and Hershey Kisses to explain addition terms and problems.  It is a great book to use as an attention getter in math lessons.

Sorting Toys by Jennifer L. Marks

I found this book when I was planning a math lesson.  It is a great book to use as a hook for introducing sorting, data collection and data analysis.

The Crafts and Culture of the Ancient Hebrews by Joann Jovinelly and Jason Netelkos

This is a book about the cultures of the Hebrew people and it includes some awesome crafts to do that coincide with the information provided. It would be a great book for the classroom, as well as for families to read and do together.

The Crafts and Culture of the Vikings by Joann Jovinelly and Jason Netelkos

One book, in a series of books, that tells about the culture of the Vikings and then provides craft ideas and directions for recreating objects from the Viking culture.  

Through the Eyes of Your Ancestors by Maureen Taylor

If you have ever wondered about the lives of your parents, grandparents, or other ancestors, this book will help you get started in your research.  It offers ideas for beginning your research as well as listing web sites, organizations and libraries.

Victorian England by Ruth Ashbury

This is just one in a series of books that tell about historical time periods; of the culture, people, history, music and art.

My National Parks by Susan Thames

One book in a series of picture books, that tells of several of the national parks in the United States.  It has many beautiful pictures as well as simple explanations of what you will see if you visit any of the parks.

Ireland Enchantment of the World by Jean F. Blashfield

A book in the Enchantment of the World Series, that tells of the history, culture, politics, people, and geography of Ireland.  It contains beautiful pictures of Ireland and its people.

Life after the American Revolution by Linda R. Wade

A book in the American Revolution series that tells about the struggles America went through after the American Revolution to establish a constitution.

The Folk Arts by George Ancona

A book in the Viva Mexico! series, that depicts the folk arts of Mexico.  It has beautiful pictures, and directions for making paper mache.

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Realistic Fiction (18/7)

The Farolitos of Christmas by Rudolfo Anay

Luz’s Abuelo is sick this Christmas season and will not be able to cut the wood to build the luminarias to light the way for the Pastordes to come and sing for them.  Luz figures out a way to help her grandfather by creating farolitos, small bags with sand and a lit candle, made to light the way to their home.

 

Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose; the story of a painting by Hugh Brewster

This story is told about the painting called Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose by John Singer Sargent.  There are other pictures of Sargents paintings.  It is told through the eyes of a little girl who knew the painter personally.

Linnea in Monet’s Garden by Christina Bjork and Lena Anderson

This is a beautiful book about a little girls visit to Paris to visit the home of the famous artist Monet.  Included in the book are pictures of Monet’s paintings, and lovely watercolor illustrations about the story.  You learn a great deal about Monet.

Road to Avonlea by L.L. Montgomery

Sarah befriends the town’s recluse, Old Miss Lloyd, and helps her discover that love can overcome anything, especially pride!

Avram’s Gift by Margie Blumberg

Mark, a Jewish boy in contemporary America learns the stories of his great-great grandfather, and grandfather that helps him appreciate his family and heritage.

Pinata Quilt by Jane Tenorio-Coscarelli

It is Albert’s birthday and his aunt (tia) Lilly always makes the birthday pinata’s, however, this one will be special.  This book not only tells a beautiful story but includes the pattern for making the quilt and the directions for making a piņata.

The Tamale Quilt by Jane Tenorio-Coscarelli

Rosa is sick and when her grandmother comes to visit she brings a very special quilt that she calls the tamale quilt.  Along with the quilt comes the story behind its design.  This book not only has the story but the pattern for making the quilt and the recipe for tamales.

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Anne Shirley is a very imaginative girl and being such gets her into quite a bit of trouble.  This story will make you laugh out loud, cry, wince and cheer.  L.M. Montgomery did a fine job in crating Anne, you won’t want her story to end…and it doesn’t have to because there are two other stories about Anne…

Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery

In this story Anne graduates from school and goes away to teach at a girls school, wher her imagination further gets her into and out of trouble.

Anne’s House of Dreams by L. M. Montgomery

In this, the third story of Anne, she has grown up and is on the verge of marrying her high school chum, and sometimes nemesis.

Chronicles of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery

This is a collection of short stories that take place in Avonlea, Anne Shirley’s hometown.  Anne Shirley does not star in any of the stories but there are plenty of other characters from Avonlea who get into scrapes and must find a way out of them.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Mary Lennox was raised in India by a servant Ayah, but suddenly one day she wakes to find that her Ayah and parents have died of cholera.  She is now an orphan, and is sent to live in England with her uncle, a man she has never met, who is also suffering from the death of his wife.  Mary finds a secret garden and between the garden, a special friend and her cousin Colin, she and her uncle find peace and happiness.

The Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

This book is about a boy Jesse, and his friend Leslie, and their make believe land of Terabithia.

The Search for Belle Prater by Ruth White

Belle Prater has been missing for about a year when her son, Woodrow, who has been living with his grandparents, receives a birthday phone call.  There is only breathing on the other end but Woodrow knows, without a doubt, it is his mother.  This one phone call sets Woodrow and his best friend cousin, Gypsy, on a quest to find his mother, and along the way they make other friends.

Mr. Lincoln’s Way by Patricia Polacco

“Mean Gene” is the school bully and Mr. Lincoln is the coolest principle ever.  With the help of a family of ducks gene and Mr. Lincoln become friends and Gene learns not to bully anymore.

Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco

Jonathan Jefferson Weeks has moved to a new town, where his father is a pastor at an old broken down church.  The family paints, hammers, cleans and mows and it looks like the church will be beautiful in time for Christmas.  Unfortunately the December snow causes damage to the sacristy wall and it looks like Christmas is ruined.

However, when Jonathon finds a tapestry to cover the damaged wall, Christmas is saved in a way that not even Jonathan could imagine. (I love this book!)

The Mailbox by Audrey Shafer

Gabe is an orphan who has come to live with his uncle.  Only one day after school he comes home to find his uncle dead in the floor.  He is too upset to do anything about it and so goes to bed, gets up the next morning and goes to school.  The next day when he comes home he finds his uncle’s body gone and a note in the mailbox which reads, “I have a secret. Don’t be afraid.”  This sets off a chain of events that will change Gabe’s life.

Match Wits with Sherlock Holmes: The Adventures of the Six Napoleons, The Blue Carbuncle adapted by Murray Shaw

This book contains two of Sherlock Holmes’ mysteries.  Murray provides the reader the opportunity to check your investigative skills against Sherlock’s.  Good sleuthing!

  

Picture Books (22/20)

Mrs. Mack by Patricia Polacco

Patricia has wanted nothing more than to have a horse.  This summer she gets the chance. Only it isn’t quite the way she thought it would be.  Her grandfather takes her to a shabby broken down farm with tough looking kids and a grouchy old man.  The situation doesn’t look too good until Mrs. Mack comes out to meet her.  Mrs. Mack is a wonderful lady that makes everything good.  The summer turns out to be a great one and Patricia becomes lifelong friends with the horses and the people.

Claude Monet by Lives of the Artists Series

This is one book in a series of books that tell the life of artists, this one about Claude Monet.  It not only tells interesting facts about his life but includes beautiful pictures of his paintings, and others of his time.

Introducing Rembrandt by Alexander Sturgis

This is a beautifully illustrated book about the life and times of Rembrandt, a famous Dutch Painter.

Dragon Dancing by Carole Lexa Schaefer

A book about dragons, children, ribbons, sparkling paper, dancing and imagination. 

Library Lil by Suzanne Williams

Library Lil has always loved books, but she lives in a town of people who only love tv.  When she inherits a library, she makes it her goal to make everyone a reader, even a big, rough and tough motorcycle gang.

Jumping the Broom by Courtni C. Wright

In this book a young girl tells about the wedding of her sister.  They live in a slave camp and the wedding ceremony itself involves jumping a broom.

Always Come Home to Me by Belle Yang

Twin brother and sister each receive a dove as a gift.  They learn to take care of them and love them, but when their father gives away the doves the twins set out to get them back and have an adventure.

Renoir and the Boy with the Long Hair

By Wendy Wax

The story begins in a museum with a man commenting about a portrait of a beautiful girl with long blond hair; only the girl is not a girl but a boy!  The painting is done by a famous artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and the boy is his son, Jean.  Renoir would not let Jean cut his hair because it was so beautiful and caught the light so well when he painted it that Jean was not allowed to cut it, much to the dismay of Jean.  You see the neighborhood children teased him unceasingly.  It does however have a happy ending. 

Flotsam by David Wiesner

This book has no words at all but is filled with beautiful watercolor pictures that tell a wonderful story about the sea, history, and magic.

I, Doko the Tale of a Basket by Ed Young

Doko means basket, and this is the story of a basket that carried new babies, wedding dowries, kindling and almost carried a grandfather away.  Luckily the grandfather was saved, and the basket too.

 

Don Quixote retold and illustrated by Marcia Williams

Williams retells the story of the ill fated Don Quixote in wonderful watercolor illustrations written somewhat in comic book style, for young readers.

Mother, Mother, I Want Another by Maria Polushkin Robbins

This is a story about a mouse that wants another bedtime kiss, but gets several new mothers instead.

Hello Ocean by Pam Munoz Ryan

A beautiful book about all of the things you may smell, taste, feel and see if you were to visit the ocean.

The Way to Captain Yankee’s by Anne Rockwell

A story about a calico cat that goes to visit her friend Captain Yankee, but gets lost along the way.

There’s a Monster in the Alphabet by James Rumford

A book that tells the story of Cadmus, the founding of Athens, and the Greek Alphabet

Let’s Play in the Forest by Claudia Rueda

This is a book based on a old play song.  Preschoolers will love to play along with the book.

Three Hungry Pigs and the Wolf Who Came to Dinner by Charles Santores

This story isn’t what you might think it is.  It is a wonderful story about three pigs who befriend a wolf.

By the Light of the Captured Moon by Julian Scheer

It is late August and summer fun is about over for Billy Whee.  He is going to miss the full moon most of all, but one night as he is lying in bed he wonders what if he could capture the moon and bring it into his room?

Alice the Fairy by David Shannon

Alice is a temporary fairy who can do great things like turning her father into a horse, but she wishes to become a permanent fairy.

Rain Makes Applesauce by Julian Scheer

This Caldecott Honor Book is a fun silly book which is not all about applesauce.

The Story Dance by Barbara Satterfield

This is a beautiful story about a grandmother who shares memories and family artifacts with her granddaughter.

The Girl Who Wanted a Song by Steve Sanfield

“Friendship can come in all sizes and shapes, and when you least expect it.  These are the things young Marici discovers when one day she meets a goose who becomes her friend…”

 

Poetry and Verse (6/5)

My Tang’s Tungled and other ridiculous situations collected by Sara and John E. Brewton and G. Meredith BlackburnIII

This is a collection of “tongue twisters, limericks, and narrative poems, verses about runaway elevators, cantankerous alligators, and the peculiarities of family life.”

Falling Up by Shel Silverstein

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein

Three wonderful books that are a collection of poems and drawings that anyone, old or young, would thrill at! These poems are the best fun our family has had in a long time.

A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson

This is a beautiful book of poetry for children, beautifully illustrated by Tasha Tudor

And Spring Shall Come by Dean Walley

This is a beautifully illustrated book of the poem, “And Spring Shall Come.”

 

Folktales (8/5)

The First Tortilla by Rudolfo Anaya

Jade lives in a village at the foot of a volcano that erupts and sends smoke and lava out onto the land, one day a bluebird appears to Jade and tells her to take a gift to the top of the volcano and ask for rain.  She and her parents are afraid for her to go but the village needs rain and the bluebird assures her that he will show her the way. (the illustrations are beautiful, and I thought that they would be a good example to use with a class for art lessons, they are colorful and they fill the page).

Out of This World and Back Again by Robert Nye

This book contains three enchanting fairytales that come form the land of Scotland.

 

The Celtic Breeze by Heather McNeil

This is a beautiful book of fairytales, folktales and music from the Irish, the Norwegians and the Celts.  The stories are a little on the frightening side and so are probably for children 12 and older.

 

The Legend of the Lady’s Slipper by Kathy-jo Wargin

This is a “suspenseful tale of a young maiden’s run through the forest in an attempt to save the people of her village.  The pink and white flowers of the lad’s slipper that carpet the ground each spring are a tribute to her sacrifice.”

The Barefoot Book of Trickster Tales retold by Richard Walker

This is a wonderful collection of tales from around the world, about characters that always seem to come out of difficult situations, in very creative ways.

 

The Tiger and the Rabbit: a Puerto Rican Folktale Illustrated by Francisco X. Mora

This is a beautifully illustrated book.  The words of the story are written on the very last page, but the pages of pictures allow the reader to make up the story or to think about the story before he reads the actual story.

 The Last Snake in Ireland: a story about St. Patrick by Sheila MacGill-Callahan

A long time ago Ireland was covered with snake, snakes in the trees, snakes in the wells, snakes in breakfast and snakes in the outhouse!  But St. Patrick had a magic bell that was used to lure all the snakes into the ocean and away from the island.  All accept one that is, one large, crafty, red snake. 

Little Book of Northern Tales

This is a very small book filled with very large stories, stories told in the far north about bears, wolves, whales, and crows.  It is a fascinating book of stories.

 

Graphic Novels (4/3)

The Hardy Boys: Hyde & Shriek by Scott Lobdell and Sidney Lima

A graphic novel based on the Hardy Boys series by Franklin W. Dixon

The Hardy Boys: The Ocean of Osyria by Scott Lobdell and Lea Hernandez

This graphic novel is a based on the Hardy Boys series by Franklin W. Dixon

Macbeth by William Shakespeare (Pendulum Illustrated series)

This is a graphic novel of Shakespeare’s play Macbeth

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare (Pendulum Illustrated series)

This is a graphic novel of Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar

Mystery (1/0)

*Cam Jansen and the Valentine Baby Mystery by David A. Adler

On Valentine’s Day Cam Jansen is called to go to the hospital because her mother is about to deliver a baby girl.  While at the hospital though her friend’s mother’s purse is stolen and Cam must use her photographic memory to solve the mystery before her baby sister is born.

Fantasy (4/3)

A Book of Narnians; The Lion, the Witch, and the Others by Pauline Baynes

This book introduces the reader to several of the key characters in C.S. Lewis’ Narnia books.  There are also beautiful illustrations that accompany each introduction.

 

Light Land by H.L.McCutchen

Lottie Cook and her best friend Lewis get transported to LightLand, a land made up of memories, where they have to stop the Night King and find their way back home.

Whispering to Witches by Anna Dale

When Joe learns that he must spend Christmas with his mother and stepfather in London, he is not too happy.  But there is an adventure awaiting him when he discovers a coven of witches, and a mystery to solve. 

Jennifer Murdley’s Toad by Bruce Coville

Ten year old Jennifer Murdley is not very pretty, so when she leaves Mr. Elives’ magic store with a toad she is a little skeptical.  However, this toad talks!  And what an adventure they have together!     

 

 Autobiography/Biography (5/4)

Mark Twain by Hayd Middleton

A very nice book about the life of Samuel Longhorn Clemens, or more popularly known as Mark Twain.

Louisa May Alcott: Her Girlhood Diary edited and compiled by Cary Ryan

Through her girlhood diaries, the readers of this book will come to know Louisa May Alcott, her family and her writings.  They will discover that her most famous book Little Women, was based on her own family.

E.B. White by S. Ward

This is a nicely illustrated biography of E.B. White, author of Stuart Little, and Charlotte’s Web.

About the Author: Meet Shel Silverstein by S. Ward

This is a wonderful book about Shel Silverstein a wonderful poet.  It was fun to read this book and learn about his life.

About the author: Meet A.A. Milne by S. Ward

A.A. Milne is most widely known for writing Winnie the Pooh stories, however he has written many stories and poems. 

 

"The stories we tell not only explain things to others, they explain them to ourselves." (Donald Norman)