Reviews by Children: Take Two
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: August 13, 2010
Take Twoby Julia DeVillers and Jennifer Roy
Reading level: Ages 10-14
Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Aladdin (January 26, 2010)
Source: Publisher
What to expect: Realistic Fiction – Dramatic and Humorous Read more
Mary Hershey, Camp Survivor (Barely)
By Mary Hershey, for The Children’s Book Review
Published: August 2, 2010
Did you know that during the month of August, approximately 2,031 marshmallows are flambéed every sixty seconds? Compare that to a mere 17 toasting disasters total during the entire month of February. Rowdy summer campers are responsible for these carcinogenic torches, too impatient to wait for slow toasting needed for the perfect gooey s’mores. 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.
Independence Day Books for Kids
July 4th is upon us again. This years Independence Day book selections are both lively and rich in heritage. Don’t be afraid to take a story-time break from all of the festivities—it might just be the thing that gets you and your family all the way through to the fireworks! Read more
The Very Fairy Princess by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton
Add this book to your collection: The Very Fairy Princess by Julie Andrews
Princess Books for Kids of All Ages
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: June 1, 2010
Whether it be the fairytale or romantic stigma that often surrounds princess characters, or the strength that these Damsels exude after overcoming various different hardships, children—especially girls—are drawn to stories about princesses. Heck, even I love a good “Prince Charming” story every once in a while. However, when looking for a book with some royal flare, it’s easy to fall to the stories we know so well: Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and The Little Mermaid—which, while we’re at it, are considered by many as a right-of-passage for any young girl.
In my quest to find new and original stories with a good princess feel—less boy-meets-girl and more strength and self-discovery—the following books really struck a chord with me; each for their own reasons. Read more
Bookarazzi: More Celebrity Children’s Books!
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: May 11, 2010
boo·ka·raz·zi: A freelance blogger who pursues celebrities who read books, to create posts that promote children’s literature.
Children’s books written by celebrities are growing in abundance. The latest books to join this category are The Sandwich Swap
So … how do you know whether the next celebrity written children’s book that you find in your hands is going to be quality? For starters, take a look at the suggestions offered in the comments field on these two fab blogs: Read more
Bookarazzi: Tyra Banks Signs Multi-Book Deal
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: May 11, 2010
boo·ka·raz·zi: A freelance blogger who pursues celebrities who read books, to create posts that promote children’s literature.
In Tyra Banks’ pursuit to connect with women and teenage girls on issues ranging from relationships to body image, she has created a three-book series titled MODELLAND. The first novel in her debut series will be published by Delacorte Press (an imprint of Random House) in Summer 2011. Based on Tyra’s media presence alone, this series is certain to be an instant bestseller. Read more
Poetry for Teens: Think Again by JonArno Lawson
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: April 14, 2010
Think Againby JonArno Lawson (Author), Julie Morstad
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 64 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press, Ltd. (March 1, 2010)
Source of book: Publicist
What to expect: Poetry, First love Read more
Alice in Wonderland: A Book in Verse—J. T. Holden and Andrew Johnson
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: April 6, 2010
Alice in Verse: The Lost Rhymes of Wonderland
by J.T. Holden (Author), Andrew Johnson (Illustrator)
Reading Level: Ages 10 and up
Hardcover: 112 pages
Publisher: Candleshoe Books; 1st edition edition (January 11, 2010)
Source of book: Publisher
What to expect: Alice in Wonderland characters, Verse, Riddles Read more
