Thursday, March 21, 2013

Children's Book Roundup March 21


May B. by Caroline Starr Rose

A colleague of mine recommended this book and I absolutely loved it.  So beautifully written, with wonderful characters, if you even remotely liked Little House…you’re going to love this.

Book Description via Amazon

Release date: January 10, 2012 | Age Range: 9 and up | Lexile Measure: 680L

I've known it since last night:
It's been too long to expect them to return.
Something's happened.


"If May is a brave, stubborn fighter, the short, free-verse lines are one-two punches in this Laura Ingalls Wilder-inspired ode to the human spirit," raved Kirkus Reviews in a starred review.

May is helping out on a neighbor's Kansas prairie homestead—just until Christmas, says Pa. She wants to contribute, but it's hard to be separated from her family by 15 long, unfamiliar miles. Then the unthinkable happens: May is abandoned. Trapped in a tiny snow-covered sod house, isolated from family and neighbors, May must prepare for the oncoming winter. While fighting to survive, May's memories of her struggles with reading at school come back to haunt her. But she's determined to find her way home again. Caroline Starr Rose's fast-paced novel, written in beautiful and riveting verse, gives readers a strong new heroine to love.


Peanut by Ayun Halliday

This is where book reviews get hard…at what ages are certain themes ok for readers.  Mostly this book is amazing and perfect for middle schoolers; the theme of trying to fit in at a new school is universal.  There is some light cursing (which I personally don’t have an issue with) but my problem lies in a scene in which the kids are talking about autoerotic asphyxiation (they of course don’t use the correct terminology.)  Now my parent bells go off and I start to hesitate.  I am not sure my own kids would even get the reference in the book but still…it makes me stop and think…but the rest of the book is so, so, so good for their age (sixth grade).  The illustrations remind me of Raina Telgemeier’s Smile with a splash of Jennifer Holm’s Babymouse…everything is drawn in grey with splashes of pink that represent Sadie.  So great…for upper middle school/high school…

 

Book Description via Amazon

Release date: December 26, 2012 | Age Range: 11 and up

"A smart, affecting graphic young adult novel," declares the New York Times.

Before you write me off as a delusional psycho, think about what it's like to be thrown into a situation where everyone knows everyone... and no one knows you. Sadie has the perfect plan to snag some friends when she transfers to Plainfield High—pretend to have a peanut allergy. But what happens when you have to hand in that student health form your unsuspecting mom was supposed to fill out? And what if your new friends want to come over and your mom serves them snacks? (Peanut butter sandwich, anyone?) And then there's the bake sale, when your teacher thinks you ate a brownie with peanuts. Graphic coming-of-age novels have huge cross-over potential, and Peanut is sure to appeal to adults and teens alike.

Machines go to Work in the City by William Low

If you have a truck lovin little person in your house this is a great choice.  Bright colorful pictures mixed with lots of oversized fold out pages makes for a fun read.  Robbie loved this one!

Book Description via Amazon

Release date: June 5, 2012 | Age Range: 2 - 6 years

Toddlers love machines and things that go, and this book gives them everything they want, from a bucket truck to a tower crane to an airplane. Every other spread has an interactive gatefold which extends the original picture to three pages, revealing something new about each situation.

The last spread diagrams each city machine, providing additional information for young readers to pore over again and again.

William Low’s classically-trained artist’s eye adds a new layer to this genre, and both parents and children will appreciate the beautiful illustrations, the attention to detail, and the clever situational twists revealed by lifting the flaps.
 
Pete the Cat and his Four Groovy Buttons
I love Pete the Cat and so does Robbie.  Great colorful illustrations, a rhyming song, and early math skills…win, win, win.
Book Description via Amazon
Release date: May 1, 2012 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Series: Pete the Cat | Lexile Measure: 350
Pete the Cat is wearing his favorite shirt—the one with the four totally groovy buttons. But when one falls off, does Pete cry? Goodness, no! He just keeps on singing his song—after all, what could be groovier than three groovy buttons? Count down with Pete in this rocking new story from the creators of the bestselling Pete the Cat books.

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