What’s Hot in July, 2010? Author Events, Best Selling Kids’ Books, and More …
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: July 1, 2010
Here’s the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases, the bestsellers, and kids’ book events. Read more
Reviews by Children: I So Don’t Do Spooky
Reviews by Children: This category gives children and young adults the opportunity to express their opinion of a book—after all, they are the intended audience!
By Elena (Age 11), for The Children’s Book Review
Published: June 30, 2010
I So Don’t Do Spookyby Barrie Summy
Reading level: Ages 9-13
Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (December 8, 2009)
Source: Publisher
This book is part of the “I So Don’t Do…” series about a middle school girl named Sherry who has the ability to interact with ghosts, including her mother, a former police officer, with whom Sherry solves mysteries. These books are like funny, modern Nancy Drew mysteries with a ghost-twist.
I really liked I So Don’t Do Spooky because it is about how Sherry and her mother (ghost mother) solve the mystery about who is threatening Sherry’s new stepmother. Sherry’s stepmother is a strict but very nice teacher at Sherry’s middle school (her nickname is “The Ruler”!). Like the rest of the series, this book is a mixture of realistic fiction, science fiction, mystery and humor. I would recommend this book and the rest of the series! In particular, I would recommend these books for girls ages 9-13.
Add this book to your collection: I So Don’t Do Spooky
Note: Elena composed this with some assistance from her fabulous mom, but it is in her own words.
Kids’ Summer Reading Lists: Early-Fluent to Fluent Readers / Ages 6-10
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: June 22, 2010
Summer reading is more important than ever for the early-fluent readers. Keeping the reading momentum is critical if your child wants to maintain this newly learned skill. Experts suggest that a minimum of four books be read over the summer to remain at the same reading level and avoid the “summer slide.”
Summer offers a great opportunity to allow children to select their own books—books that reflect their personal interests and curiosities. Sometimes the power of selecting one’s own reading material—not being told what you have to read—can be the key to turning a non-reader into an enthusiastic reader.
The following books have been listed from easiest to more difficult. The list caters to those that still require a little help, as well as independent readers. I’m positive that they will be enjoyed by many—even non-readers that can sit through a chapter book will be happy.
Porky and Bessby Ellen Weiss and Mel Friedman
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (February 23, 2010)
Source: Publisher
What to expect: Best friends, Pigs, Cats, Poetry
Calling all early-fluent readers. Large text, great color illustrations, and the story of two unlikely-characters being the best of friends, make this a great introduction to chapter books. Random House Books for Young Readers says, “Porky and Bess is reminiscent of the episodic adventures of Frog and Toad, but this duo has even more humor and heart.” I would have to agree with that.
Add this book to your collection: Porky and Bess
The Sandwich Swapby Queen Rania of Jordan Al Abdullah
Reading level: Ages 5-8
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (April 20, 2010)
Source: Borrowed
What to expect: Cultural differences, Friendship
A picture book can be just the right reading material for an early-fluent reader—it’s not as daunting as a colorless chapter book with limited illustrations. This picture book offers a great story of friendship and a wonderful look at how we can embrace cultural differences and become emotionally strengthened by them. A very current story that has been thoughtfully put together.
Add this book to your collection: The Sandwich Swap
Babymouse #11: Dragonslayerby Jennifer L. Holm
Reading level: Ages 7-10
Paperback: 96 pages
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (August 25, 2009)
Source: Publisher
What to expect: Graphic novel, Mathematics, Contests, Schools, Mice, Animals
There’s nothing like a graphic novel (comic style) to capture the attention of a reluctant reader. Spice it up with adventure and drama and you’ll have a hit that captures everybody’s attention. Fun and engaging graphics are accentuated with effective text bubbles to tell this tale of a very likable hero. Babymouse: Dragonslayer is an energetic book. And the good news is that it’s part of a series, so there’s more where this one came from.
Add this book to your collection: Babymouse #11: Dragonslayer
Anna Maria’s Giftby Janice Shefelman
Reading level: Ages 6-9
Hardcover: 112 pages
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (April 27, 2010)
Source: Publisher
What to expect: Violin, Orphans, Vivaldi, Conduct of life, Schools, Venice
Deep and important life lessons, such as selflessness and forgiveness, are the principles behind this encouraging and heartening story of an orphaned girl who has a musical gift. This fictional tale is set in Venice, Italy, and is entwined with rich and cultural musical history. It has large text and charming full-page illustrations sprinkled throughout. Janice Shefelman has produced a lovely historical-fiction book.
Add this book to your collection: Anna Maria’s Gift
Mrs. Piggle-Wiggleby Betty MacDonald
Reading level: Ages 6-9
Paperback: 128 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins; Reissue edition (June 3, 1994)
Source: Home library
What to expect: Humor, Positive outlook
I haven’t met a parent or child that has not enjoyed this delightfully humorous series. From her upside-down house to her backyard with buried treasures, there is nothing not to love about Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. However, the beauty lies in her positive outlook on all of the day-to-day problems that children face; such as, taking baths, picking up toys, and going to bed. With a decent size text and a few scattered illustrations it’s a great choice for independent readers, both boys and girls, or children that enjoy being read to.
Add this book to your collection: Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle
The Dreamerby Pam Munoz Ryan and Peter Sis
Reading level: Ages 9-14
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press (April 1, 2010)
Source: Publisher
What to expect: Pablo Neruda, Chile
A poignant, imaginative, inspiring, and encouraging story based upon the childhood of Pablo Neruda, the Nobel Prize-winning poet. It’s a great book for fluent readers who are ready to tackle deeper stories, because the large text and poems by Pam Munoz Ryan are invigorated by Peter Sis’s fantastical pen-and-ink illustrations, heightening the readers experience and offering insight to the upcoming chapters. I foresee a future award for this book. A must read!
Add this book to your collection: The Dreamer
You may also enjoy the following summer reading lists:
Kids’ Summer Reading Lists: Prereading / Ages 3-5
Kids’ Summer Reading Lists: Emerging Readers / Ages 4-8
To Tell the Truth
By Luisa LaFleur, The Children’s Book Review
Published: June 22, 2010
CJ in a Pickleby Robert Bauer
Reading level: Nine to twelve year-olds
Hardcover: 27 pages
Publisher: Tate Publishing (August 3, 2010)
Source of book: Author
What to expect: Boyhood antics, moral dilemmas Read more
Dealing With Loss
By Luisa LaFleur, The Children’s Book Review
Published: June 21, 2010
by Carl J. Schutt
Reading level: Nine to twelve year-olds
Hardcover: 41 pages
Publisher: Inkus Imagination (2009)
Source of book: Author
What to expect: Difficult emotional topics, stages of grief, death.
Death is a difficult topic, for adults and children alike. I think it’s harder for children because it’s such an unknown and can come unexpectedly. A new book for older children, Remembering Oakley, by Carl J. Schutt, tells the story of Jacob and his beloved dog, Oakley. When Jacob’s mother tells him it’s time to put Oakley down, Jacob struggles to understand why. As adults we know that illness can affect quality of life and death may be a relief from suffering, but how can we explain this to our children? Written in verse, Remembering Oakley tackles this difficult topic in a very heartwarming way. It touches on the different stages of grief and explains that it’s okay to feel anger and sadness about the death of a loved one. Eventually, Jacob comes to terms with his loss and takes comfort in that fact that Oakley will live on in his memories and his heart.
Soccer Books That Heal World Cup Fever!
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: May 19, 2010
It’s World Cup Soccer time! Which means that there is a good chance you know someone who is suffering from World Cup Fever. This is one kind of fever that can’t be treated with medicine. It must be treated with a high dose of, you guessed it, soccer. Soccer in any form you can get it: watching the game, playing the game, talking about the game, dreaming about the game, and reading about the game. Yep, that’s right, reading about the game.
No matter which team you go for (GO SOCCEROOS!), here is a team of books (complete with publisher’s synopsis) to whet the appetite of any young soccer enthusiast: Read more
Giveaway: The Prometheus Project—Books One & Two
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: June 10, 2010
Douglas E. Richards, author of The Prometheus Project series (Ages 9-13), is giving away 3 sets of autographed books in celebration of the release of the third book in the series—Stranded (Book 3) releases in July. Each winner will receive a copy of the first two books, The Prometheus Project: Trapped
What’s next for Theodore Boone? (John Grisham)
Add this book to your collection: Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer
Wendelin Van Draanen Talks About Sammy Keyes
By Wendelin Van Draanen, for The Children’s Book Review
Published: June 4, 2010
The Children’s Book Review presents a guest post by Wendelin Van Draanen, author of the Sammy Keyes series. Her first book was published in 1997, and since then her titles have been nominated for State Award Master Lists all over the country. The Sammy Keyes Mysteries have been nominated for the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Children’s Mystery. Additionally, she has won the Christopher medal for Shredderman: Secret Identity, and the California Young Reader Medal for Flipped. Her books have been translated into many foreign languages, and have been optioned for film and television projects. Read more
Animal Rescue Team by Sue Stauffacher
Add this book to your collection: Animal Rescue Team: Gator on the Loose!
