Lunch Money

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Clements, Andrew. 2005. Lunch Money. Ill. by Brian Selznick. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Greg Kenton loves money; he loves to make it, he loves to spend it, and he loves to save it. By the age of eleven he had more than three thousand dollars in the bank. Greg soon comes up with a plan to make even more money, sell comic books at school. These aren’t just any comic books, these are books he wrote, drew, and published himself. He soon discovers he has competition, his arch nemesis, Maura Shaw. She too is selling comic books and the competition is on. Though their rivalry turns bloody, they must learn to work together or both of them will be out of business.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

A coming of age story about two enemies that have to learn to work together is the underlying theme of the novel, Lunch Money by Andrew Clements. Accompanied by black and white sketches to illustrate a point or enhance the plot, the book is full of life lessons for young students trying to find their way in the world. Laced with humor, Clements forces readers to ponder questions about the value of money and the cost of success in life. As the characters learn the importance of friends over wealth, readers who also face the same obstacles gain valuable insight. Readers will also recognize characteristics of people they know from their own life, especially in middle school. Lunch Money will make readers smile and root for Greg and Maura.

AWARDS AND REVIEW:

Bank Street Best Books of the Year
CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book
Garden State Children's Book Award (NJ Library Association) (Categories: Easy to Read, Easy to Read Series, Non-Fiction, Fiction) (four categories, four winners)
KSRC Intermediate Titles - TOP PICK
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Nominee

School Library Journal:
Grade 4-6–Sixth-grader Greg Kenton has always had a talent for making money. His latest scheme, creating and selling miniature comic books, looks to be a success. However, problems arise when his classmate and longtime nemesis, Maura, competes with him by making her own mini-stories. Even worse, the principal, who believes that comic books are nasty and violent, bans their sale at school. Clements has created another clever, enterprising young protagonist in Greg, who, like Nick in Frindle (S & S, 1996), also finds inconsistencies in his school's regulations and works toward change. While his intentions at the beginning are purely entrepreneurial, his outlook on money transforms to the philanthropic as he fights for the right to sell his Chunky Comics to his fellow students. Also, his relationship with Maura takes a new turn as the two enemies pool their talents and find a way to get along. The characters are rich with interesting quirks and motivations, including Mr. Z, a blood-phobic math teacher. Along with providing a fast-paced and humorous story line, the author examines concepts of true wealth, teamwork, community mindedness, and the value of creative expression. Selznick's pencil sketches add comic touches throughout.–Carol L. MacKay, Camrose Public Library, Alberta, Canada
Review:
"This hits the jackpot." -- Kirkus Reviews

The Million Dollar Kick

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Gutman, Dan. 2001. The Million Dollar Kick. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Whisper Nelson is a middle school student who feels isolated. She hates sports, has no close friends, and is not particularly close with her parents. When her sister enters Whisper into a contest, Whisper never in a million years thinks she will win. However, Whisper is chosen out of thousands of entries to kick a soccer goal for a one million dollar prize. When Whisper decides to participate she only hopes she does not embarrass herself too badly. While learning to kick a soccer ball, Whisper manages to learn a few things about herself and that life is not as bad as she believed after all. Middle school students, especially girls, everywhere can empathize with Whisper and her middle school woes.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

The Million Dollar Kick by Dan Gutman features a female everyman struggling with the horrors of middle school. Thrust into the spotlight by winning a contest she did not want to enter, Whisper Nelson begins a journey that will see her evolution from an insecure middle school student to a mature young woman. Gutman uses language that young readers can relate to while telling a story that allows them to share in her pain and suffering. The main character experiences the growing pains that everyone does and comes out the other side a more confident, more knowing person. Gutman also weaves relevant information about the 1999 Oklahoma City Bombings into the story that has poignant meaning for both the readers and the novel.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

School Library Journal:
Gr 5-8-Seventh-grader Whisper can't stand soccer. Her little sister is the family sports star. However, Whisper is the one who is tapped for a contest promotion and she must try to kick a goal past the town's leading professional star in front of a whole stadium full of soccer fanatics. The prize is one million dollars, but Whisper isn't sure the potential humiliation is worth it. She suspects that no one in her family really believes she can do it. Her classmates don't offer much support either. It seems her only ally is Jesse, a self-styled "computer nerd," and Whisper doesn't know if she wants to be seen with him, even if he has created a laptop simulation that could help her succeed. Gutman paints a sharp, funny portrait of middle-school society. The dialogue rings true and the various cliques and subgroups will strike a familiar chord with adolescent readers. This is an exciting sports story with a compelling message about individuality and self-confidence, as well as a touch of romance.
Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL
Booklist:
Gr. 5-8. Thirteen-year-old Whisper Nelson hates soccer--and many other things about her life as a middle schooler at the bottom of the social food chain. One day she allows little sister Briana, a soccer ace, to enter her in a contest to make up a new slogan for Oklahoma City's women's soccer team. The winner is allowed a kick against the team's professional goalkeeper, with a $1 million prize for a successful goal. Of course, shy, unhappy Whisper writes the slogan that wins, and her dealing with the publicity blitz and training for the kick once she decides to take the risk pull the story along to a highly satisfying and terrifically suspenseful conclusion. Gutman captures Whisper's pain and dry wit beautifully in this strong story about a teen getting through tough times. Anne O'Malley

Spy Cat

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Kehret, Peg. 2003. Spy Cat. New York: Dutton Children’s Books.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Pete the cat is as smart as any human but he has yet to communicate this to Alex or his little brother Benjie. When Pete sees a burglary in process next door he is able to wake up Alex in time for Alex to witness the getaway car driving off. As more robberies occur throughout the neighborhood it appears that pets are being stolen also. Soon, Benjie catches the thieves stealing Pete and when he confronts the bad guys, Pete is set free but Benjie is kidnapped instead. Pete and Alex set out to look for clues that will help the police find Benjie and bring him home safe.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Written from both a cat’s perspective and a human’s perspective, Spy Cat provides a who-dun-it thriller for young readers. Peg Kehret strategically uses italics to distinguish Pete the cat’s words from that of the other main character Alex. Pete often provides comic relief to the tense situations of kidnapping and robberies. The fast action will keep readers turning the pages to find out what happens next. Kehret is excellent at making pets part of the family and of showing the importance of caring for one another. A wonderful book for young adult readers and even mature younger readers, this mystery/comedy novel is a page turner.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

School Library Journal:
Grade 4-7-In this second adventure starring the feline, the Kendrill family is alarmed when they hear that a neighbor's house has been burglarized. Sixth-grader Alex and his six-year-old brother, Benjie, worry and wonder what they would do if their house were robbed. Everyone is understandably nervous, except Pete, who is sure he can protect his family; after all, he is a perfect watchcat. He does see the next robbery in progress and tries to warn Alex and his friend Rocky. However, while Pete can understand human speech, people can't understand Cat, much to his disappointment and frustration. Then all of his abilities are needed when the Kendrills' house becomes the next target. He tries to stop the burglars, only to have his plan backfire and turn serious when Benjie is missing. It takes the child's bravery and observational powers and the feline's wild antics and loud meowing to capture the crooks. This is a fast-moving mystery adventure that readers of James Howe's "Sebastian Barth" series (S & S) or Betsy Byars's "Herculeah Jones" books (Viking) will enjoy. Pete's observations are printed in italics so readers always know exactly what he thinks. Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA
Booklist:
Gr. 4-6. Pete the cat, who understands, reads, and thinks in English, but can communicate only in "meows," solves another crime for the Kendrill family. In his debut, The Stranger Next Door [BKL Fe 1 02], the crime was arson; this time, Valley View Estates is the site of a rash of burglaries. Seven-year-old Benjie Kendrill wanders into the burglary of his own home. Thinking Pete is being stolen, Benjie pursues the culprits; his life is in danger unless Pete can lead people to the clue left behind by the little boy. Benjie's foolhardiness comes across as questionable in an age of mistrust of strangers, and everyone but Pete behaves a bit too rationally, given the desperate circumstance. Still, kids who liked the first book and are ready for a step up from James Howe's stories can look forward to a fun, suspenseful read. Catherine Andronik

Nancy Drew: Mr. Cheeters is Missing

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Petrucha, Stefan. 2006. Nancy Drew: Mr. Cheeters is Missing. Ill. by Sho Murase. New York: Papercutz.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Mr. Cheeters is missing and so is a diamond necklace. Nancy Drew takes to case only to discover that Mr. Cheeters is a chimp and some people do not think he even exists. Nancy, Bess, and George set out to find Mr. Cheeters and recover the necklace.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

This graphic novel based on the popular series by Carolyn Keene brings the character of Nancy Drew to a new generation of girls and boys. Totally modernized, Nancy Drew is still solving mysteries along with her friends George and Bess. The illustrations of the novel have an anime look to them. The pages of the book are glossy and there are usually three frames to each page. The illustrations provide readers with the action portion to the story while the author is free to focus on the plot line. While older readers may not appreciate this new Nancy, younger readers have the opportunity to discover this new, modern, hip Ms. Drew.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

From the Publisher:
When the eccentric Blanche Porter reports that her beloved Mr. Cheeters has vanished, it isn’t your standard missing persons case. As Nancy Drew soon discovers, Mr. Cheeters, is a pet chimp. Or is he? Based on a preliminary investigation and information obtained from Blanche’s brother, Lawrence, the River Heights police dismiss the case as bogus – doubting that there ever was a Mr. Cheeters to begin with. But when Nancy Drew discovers there’s a missing diamond necklace as well – she’s on the case! Can Nancy, along with Bess and George, recover the great ape and the necklace, or has Blanche Porter made a monkey out of Nancy Drew? Ages 8 to 12.

Shredderman: Attack of the Tagger

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Van Draanen, Wendelin, 2004. Shredderman: Attack of the Tagger. Ill. by Brian Biggs. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Nolan Byrd is known as a nerd at Cedar Valley Elementary but what everyone does not know is that Nolan has a secret identity. He is Shredderman and his job is to protect students from bully’s and other miscreants at school. When a mysterious tagger begins vandalizing property all over town, Shredderman is on the case to find out who the tagger is. Solving a mystery is hard work and Shredderman finds himself ditching school, hiding in a bag of garbage, and even doing his own laundry. Will Shredderman solve the mystery? Can he keep his secret identity is secret? Will the smell of garbage ever come out of his hair? Read Shredderman: Attack of the Tagger to find out.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Any child who ever wanted to be a super hero like Spiderman or Batman will enjoy reading Shredderman: Attack of the Tagger. Considered to be a nerd by his peers, Nolan Byrd turns himself into a secret superhero with the help of the internet and a digital camera. He even has his very own sidekick. The funny adventures that ensue when the hero sets out to catch the tagger will entertain kids and keep them in stitches. There are black and white drawings throughout the book to emphasize the action and plot. Shredderman’s trials to keep justice and peace at his school will surely inspire other children to become super heroes themselves.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

School Library Journal:
Grade 3-6–Nolan's life has not been the same since he invented Shredderman. Sure, he's still called "nerd," and he avoids running into bully Bubba Bixby, but now he's secretly a cyber-hero. As such, Nolan knows he's the man for the job when graffiti is spray-painted around Cedar Valley and the culprit cannot be caught. However, things do not go as planned as Shredderman is accused of being the tagger, and he is under the clock to see that truth and justice prevail before his true identity comes to light. Van Draanen delivers an entertaining sequel to Secret Identity (Knopf, 2004), packed with plenty of action and humor to keep kids, especially reluctant readers, turning the pages and rooting for Nolan. As in the first book, Biggs's black-and-white illustrations capture the humor and action of the straightforward plot.–Christine McGinty, Albany Public Library, NY
Booklist:
Gr. 3-5. Armed with a digital camera and ever-increasing confidence, Nolan, the nerdy fifth-grader who moonlights as a cyber-superhero (Shredderman [BKL F 15 04]), is back. This time a graffiti artist has struck in Cedar Valley, spraying buildings, playground equipment, and even the van of Nolan's teacher-cum-sidekick, Mr. Green. In his quest to nab the delinquent, Shredderman becomes a suspect, and clearing his name requires hiding in a smelly trash bag, riding his bike farther than ever before, and, of course, posting muckraking photos and articles on shredderman.com. The hullabaloo stirred up by relatively tame vandalism seems a bit unconvincing, and it's disappointing to see Nolan gaining more adult accomplices at book's end rather than allowing his alter ego's successes to carry over into his relationships with his peers. Not as stellar as Shredderman's first soaring leap into cyberspace, but still balm for all those dweeby kids who will see themselves in Nolan and cheer him on, as well as any middle-grader wanting something fast, funny, and technologically up-to-the-minute.

So B. It

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Weeks, Sarah. 2004. So B. It. New York: Laura Geringer Books.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Heidi is twelve and lives with her mentally disabled mother and has an agoraphobic neighbor who looks after her. Heidi knows nothing about her past and as she grows older she begins to question how her and her mother ended up in Reno with all of their bills mysteriously paid every month. When some old photos surface they provide clues to Heidi’s past and she sets off on a cross country trip to find out about her mother and her own past. The journey changes her life and the information she gathers about her family is astounding.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

So B. It by Sarah Weeks is a heart wrenching tale of a young girl whose world consists of living with a mentally disabled mother and a neighbor who cannot leave her house. Because of her circumstances, Heidi has to take on many adult responsibilities that she is not even aware of. She has few friends because no one is able to register her for public school. Despite her lonely life she is educated and curious about her own background. There is nothing to offer her any clues to answer the multitude of questions she has about herself, her mother, or how the two of them ended up living in Reno, Nevada. When Heidi discovers an old camera and develops the pictures she finds clues that point to a hospital in New York.
Heidi journeys to New York, all alone to get answers to the many questions she has about her life. While a bus trip across the country may seem exciting to a young person, it is extremely frightening for adults to allow this to occur. Sarah Weeks does an excellent job of portraying the details of a young girl traveling alone across country. There are many anxious moments but Heidi manages to meet these moments with maturity many older people do not possess. As Heidi discovers the answers to her questions, she realizes that her life has changed forever. She must then struggle with the answers that she found and make choices for herself most people never have to make in an entire lifetime. The author is able to write eloquently about a tough subject. Many young readers will be able to identify with Heidi and her situation or at least with certain aspects of her life. Even readers whose life is not represented by Heidi’s her struggle with finding the answers will resonate with them.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

Notable Children’s Book in the Language Arts (NCTE)
ALA Booklist Editor’s Choice
IRA/CBC Young Adults’ Choice
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee
"A quick and satisfying tale of love, determination, and the kindness of strangers." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"A remarkable novel. [Heidi’s] cross-country journey is brave and daring and yields surprising results." -- New York Times Book Review
"Readers will pull for and empathize with the likable characters." -- School Library Journal
"Refreshing, offbeat characters. As the riddle of Heidi’s life slowly unfolds, readers will be genuinely touched and surprised." -- Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (starred review)

Luba: The Angel of Bergen-Belsen

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Tryszynska-Frederick, Luba. 2003. Luba: The Angel of Bergen-Belsen. As told to Michelle R. McCann. Ill. by Ann Marshall. Berkeley: Tricycle Press.

PLOT SUMMARY:

This biographical picture book is the story of Luba, a prisoner of a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. Having lost her entire family, Luba discovers fifty-four Dutch children who had been left to die in behind the camp. Questioning why her own life had been spared, she now thinks she knows the answer. Putting her own life at risk, Luba takes all of the children and hides them in her bunk house. Every day she begs and barters for extra food to feed her children. At the end of the war, all but two children are alive and able to be reunited with family and relatives.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

From the ashes of the Holocaust this uplifting and hopeful story emerges about the goodness and love that lives inside of all of us. After losing her own child to the Nazi’s and being imprisoned, Luba finds the courage and strength to save more than fifty young Dutch children. Though she did not save them all by herself, she worked hard to keep the children fed and safe. In addition to the Luba’s story, there is a prologue that tells readers about the history of the Holocaust. There is also an epilogue that chronicles Luba’s life after the war and gives an update on Luba and many of the children she saved. More information about World War II and the Holocaust is provided at the end of the book as well as an extensive bibliography. The paintings throughout the book portray both the bleakness of the times and the hope that Luba offered to her children.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

School Library Journal:
Gr 2-5-Tryszynska-Frederick discovered a number of abandoned children among her fellow prisoners in Bergen-Belsen. Through her own creativity and strength of will, she managed to keep them fed and safe until the liberation of the camp. Although this is certainly a story that is both important and inspirational, the presentation is lacking. The writing is choppy and lacks transitions at times, and it is often unclear how Luba managed to do what she did. The horror of the camp is significantly downplayed in the text, and the oil-and-collage illustrations, while quite well done, do not reflect the reality of the conditions the people were facing. The children often look entirely too clean, well dressed, and healthy. The audience for the book is unclear. While the writing is simple and accessible for primary-grade children, the subject matter and the front and back matter, which gives readers a context for the story, seem intended for older students. While the basic facts are accurate, the heavy use of dialogue blurs the line between fact and fiction, making the book a problematic piece for most collections. Religious libraries with large collections of Holocaust literature might want to add it because of the important story it tells, but most others can pass.-Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews:
McCann conveys the remarkable heroism of Tryszynska-Frederick, a young Jewish nurse imprisoned in the Nazi concentration camp. Luba's emotional strength, bravery, and determination in the winter of 1944 saved 54 abandoned, starving, and cold Dutch children from their impending death, as she hid them in her barracks for the duration of the war and used her ingenuity and a lot of luck to beg, borrow, and steal food. McCann recounts in lucid narrative prose, with the inclusion of some dialogue, the events and hushed drama as related to her by the real Luba. Well-crafted, this includes a brief introduction and post-script to the Nazi concentration camps and WWII, an epilogue depicting Luba's official Amsterdam recognition with photographs from the liberation of the camp and a 1995 reunion, and a thorough bibliography of books, articles, film, Web sites, personal letters, and interviews. Realistic oil paintings with collage reflect the darkness of the period and the terrifyingly dangerous environment amid the loving concern within the concealed group. One of the beautiful, positive stories that emerged from that awful time, to be remembered and passed on to young and old alike. (author's note, including children's names) (Picture book. 7-12)

Move Over Rover

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Beaumont, Karen. 2006. Move Over Rover. Ill. by Jane Dyer. Orlando: Harcourt, Inc.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Rover is resting peacefully in his dog house when it begins to storm. Animals from the neighborhood seeking a dry place to wait it out flock to the doghouse so they can be warm and dry. This continues until the skunk shows up and causes uproar in the very crowded dog house.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Move Over Rover is a story for young children. Perfect for reading aloud the story is told in poetry form that has a musical feel when read aloud. Because there is much repetition throughout the story, young readers can be successful when reading the book. The story also introduces many animals to young readers who will soon realize that the situation could never work in a real life situation. The funny ending is a bit of a surprise for readers who will delight in how the author brings the story back to the beginning. The watercolor illustrations that accompany the story bring the characters to life in a realistic but slightly animated manner. Children will love the story of a poor dog who just wants to rest peacefully but is interrupted by a rain storm.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

ALA Notable Children’s Book
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award
Texas 2 X 2 Reading List [Texas]
Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book

School Library Journal:
Kindergarten-Grade 1–Reminiscent of Mirra Ginsburgs Mushroom in the Rain (S & S, 1987) and Audrey Woods The Napping House (Harcourt, 1984), this is the cumulative story of many animals all attempting to shelter from the rain in a doghouse. Children will love the hilarious ending when all of the inhabitants hastily vacate after an odiferous intruder tries to squeeze in, too. The marvelously textured watercolor-and-acrylic illustrations convey the feeling of a driving rain, the fur and feathers of the various creatures, and the joy of Rover when his house is once again his sole domain. The repetition of key phrases, the rhythmic text, and the cumulative structure of the narrative make this book an ideal read-aloud. The pictures and text evoke the cozy, warm feeling of curling up for a nap on a rainy day and the unbridled thrill of leaping out into the sun.–Tamara E. Richman, Somerset County Library System, Bridgewater, NJ
Booklist:
Fully painted to the edge of the large pages, Dyer's watercolor-and-acrylic illustrations are very casual yet cozy. They effectively accompany Beaumont's take on a familiar motif: generosity can lead to overcrowding. Gentle, obliging Rover allows, first, Cat, and then a succession of other animals to seek shelter from a rainstorm in his doghouse. The crowding increases until Skunk's arrival forces an evacuation--just as the storm is ending. Brief text with a rhymed refrain ("Move over, Rover!") encourages children to join in as the story progresses to the finale--when Rover is finally alone, savoring the fact that his house is once again his own. Adults may want to use this with Jan Brett's The Mitten (1989) and Margot Zemach's It Could Always Be Worse (1976) to help children explore the idea of variation on a theme. John Warren Stewig

Scranimals

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Prelutsky, Jack. 2002. Scranimals. Ill. by Peter Sis. New York: Greenwillow Books.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Scranimals is a collection of poems by Jack Prelutsky about animals, flowers, fruits, and vegetables that have been scrambled together and who live on Scranimal Island. Two young children take a trip to Scranimal Island to see the strange creatures such as the Potatoad, Parrotters, Radishark, and the Bananaconda. Readers will enjoy the silliness that ensues when you cross a Hippopotamus with a mushroom. As each scranimal is introduced the explanation of their characteristics is often just as silly as their combination.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

What might be a linguist’s nightmare is nothing but pure delight for children. Prelutsky intertwines words to create mysterious creatures that only the most imaginative could wonder. Each mythical character is described in poetic form and the descriptions are often as outlandish as the character itself. Children who already like Prelutsky’s poetry will love reading Scranimals. Peter Sis lends his artistic touch to add whimsy to reader’s journey to Scranimal Island. Each character is drawn exactly as described. On the back cover is a mathematical chart of how each creature is created. A map of the island is located at the front and back of the book. This book was made to read aloud and the author provides the pronunciation of each new word at the bottom of each page. Young kids will have fun recognizing animals that have been spliced with fruit and vegetables or other animals. Readers will discover something new each time they read this picture book.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

School Library Journal Best Book
Kentucky Bluegrass Award

From Publishers Weekly:
The meisters of madcap are at it again. This time, Prelutsky and Sis (The Dragons Are Singing Tonight) head off on safari to Scranimal Island, an exotic spot full of odd hybrid creatures just ripe for their devious brand of silliness. Whether tracking a caravan of Camelberta Peaches ("All have humpy, bumpy backs, Stocked with water, juice, and snacks, So the creatures never need Wonder where to drink or feed"), avoiding the clutches of the dread Radishark ("Its appalling, bulbous body Is astonishingly red, And its fangs are sharp and gleaming In its huge and horrid head") or spying on the Bananaconda ("How sinuous and sly you are, How slippery, how yellow"), they scramble up a smorgasbord of flora and fauna. Prelutsky tweaks language with his characteristic glee, wedging in plenty of humor ("Poor Avocadodos, Ungainly and green, You're gone from today's Biological scene") and, as always when Si s is on board, his exquisite artistry raises the bar, adding depth to Prelutsky's light verse. Plying his trademark delicate line and crosshatching, Si s sets off the fantastic creatures against spare, expansive vistas, investing the muted ink-and-watercolor illustrations with a quizzically visionary style. A pair of brightly clad young explorers lurk at the edge of each scene, adding a droll visual grace note. All ages.
From School Library Journal:
Grade 2-5-Prelutsky introduces the curious inhabitants of Scranimal Island through his skillful and captivating poems. The creatures, such as the Mangorilla and Orangutangerine, are each a cross between an animal and a fruit, vegetable, or flower, and behave accordingly. For instance, "On a bump beside a road/Sits a lowly POTATOAD,/Obviously unaware/Of its own existence there./On its coarse and warty hide,/It has eyes on every side,/Eyes that fail, apparently,/To take note of what they see." S's's illustrations are a wonderful combination of the eerie and humorous (readers might be reminded of his fantastical island in Komodo! [Greenwillow, 1993]), and give children a visual clue as to the creature's elements, in case they haven't figured it out yet. (A rebus-like chart on the back cover is more explicit, illustrating "potato + toad = potatoad", etc.) Hippopotamushrooms smile benevolently from their forest floor, the Pandaffodil munches bamboo beatifically, majestic Broccolions stalk the lithe Antelopetunia. These black-line and watercolor illustrations in a light palette take up three-quarters of each spread; the verses, in large and legible black type, accompany them on a pastel-tinged antique paper background. On occasion on this island, readers may come across a creature that is a cross of two animals (no plant matter involved), such as the Ostricheetah or the Stormy Petrelephant. Though as eloquently described, they are simply not as funny as the Porcupineapple or the Avocadodos, and somehow spoil the fun. The point of nonsense, after all, is to stick to the rules-just, the wrong rules. Nevertheless, Prelutsky and S's have pulled off something great here-it is their best collaboration to date.
Nina Lindsay, Oakland Public Library, CA

Shoeless Joe & Black Betsy

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Bildner, Phil. 2002. Shoeless Joe & Black Betsy. Ill. by C.F. Payne. New York: Simon & Schuster for Young Readers.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Shoeless Joe & Black Betsy is the story about how a stick of hickory and an old friend helped Joe out of a hitting slump and into the role of one of the greatest hitters in the major leagues. The special relationship that Joe had with his bats is recounted in this picture book for older children. By taking care of his prized possession, his bat that he named Black Betsy, Joe is able to overcome is batting obstacles and have the best rookie year of any player ever.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Phil Bildner tells a lesser known story about a very famous baseball player. By focusing on this portion of Joe Jackson’s career, readers are introduced to another side of a well known baseball figure. The author also weaves a tiny bit of U.S. History into the story with analogies about Andrew Jackson and Betsy Ross. Baseball fans as well as fans of Shoeless Joe will delight in this lesser known but still fascinating tale of the famous player. For readers who are unfamiliar with Joe’s baseball career, this story is a wonderful introduction. The illustrations from C.F. Payne seem to capture the era in which Joe Jackson played ball. The muted colors and soft edges of the pictures take readers to the early 20th Century and provide a realistic feeling of this time period.
At the end of the story the author provides a detailed afterword that supports his story and provides an overview of Joe Jackson’s life and career. He also provides the statistics for Joe’s career. The afterword is good for more advanced readers but is not necessary for enjoyment of the story.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

Texas Bluebonnet Award
Young Hoosier Book Award Master List (IN)

From School Library Journal:
Grades 1-5--From the intriguing title to the informative afterword, this picture book will capture the attention of young baseball fans. Told in a folksy, Southern voice, with many of the stylistic elements of a tall tale, it follows Joseph Jefferson Jackson's early-20th-century path between the minor and major leagues. A series of slumps takes him to the door of bat smith Ol' Charlie, who dispenses homespun advice along with his products. The repetition and wry humor of the exchanges between the two superstitious characters pull the legend out of the story. Payne's frequent use of foreshortening highlights the role of Black Betsy (the bat); it also heightens the visual eccentricities of the two friends. The mixed-media illustrations are layered and rich in texture, qualities that add depth and drama. Bildner's bias in favor of his subject is evident in the afterword describing the allegations against Joe and his teammates (a scandal that ended their careers). A page of the hitter's major league and World Series statistics concludes the book. This title is in the same league as David A. Adler's fine Lou Gehrig (1997) and Peter Golenbock's important Teammates (1990, both Harcourt).
Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
Publishers Weekly:
"One of baseball's greats receives star treatment in this compelling book."

Penny Lee and Her TV

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

McCoy, Glenn. 2002. Penny Lee and Her TV. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

PLOT SUMMARY:

Penny Lee loves to watch TV. She loves it so much that the television has become her entire life. She has no friends and sleeps on top of the television set. Her dog, Mr. Barkley vies for Penny’s attention but with no success. One day, the TV breaks and Mr. Barkley helps Penny take the television to the repair shop. On the way, Penny discovers the world around her and the various activities she has been missing.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Penny Lee and Her TV is a whimsical story about a young girl who spends all of her time watching television. She believes that her life is perfect until her television breaks. Once this happens a series of events take place that introduce Penny to the many fun activities she has been missing by sitting in front of the television. This story is fun for children to read or listen to because it does seem like an incredible idea. The true lesson behind the book is that our youth do spend too much time watching television and not enough time playing outdoors. Introducing this book to children can allow them to recognize that there is a little bit of Penny Lee in all of us and it could inspire some of them to play outside and use their imagination. The most important lesson that children of all ages can take away from this picture book is do not ignore your pets. Glenn McCoy also provides fantastic cartoonish illustrations to emphasize his story. The colorful pictures compliment the story and helps add to the humor of the book.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

From Publishers Weekly:
Clever cartoons with a slapstick edge enliven newcomer McCoy's one-note tale about a child TV addict who's forced to quit her tube habit cold turkey. The TV is Penny Lee's "best friend.... Penny Lee even slept on top of it. And while she snoozed, her dreams would have commercial breaks." Her lonesome pooch, Mr. Barkley, tries to get her attention (parents don't seem to exist); in one cartoon, he rides a motorcycle, Evel Knievel-style, through a flaming hoop atop her TV, to no avail. When the TV abruptly stops working (and Mr. Barkley feigns serious attempts as diagnostician rubber gloves and all), the canine finds ways to entertain Penny Lee as they walk the TV to a repair shop. Among other diversions, they jump rope with the TV cord, draw sidewalk pictures of fire hydrants and superheroes, and swim in a pond, using the lifeless TV as a diving board. McCoy's caricatures amuse with large heads, bulbous noses and ever-expressive furrowed brows and round eyes. However, the premise of a kid tricked out of her taste for TV may resonate more with parents than with children. Ages 4-7.
From School Library Journal:
PreSchool-Grade 3-Parents are always looking for ways to get their children away from the television set. This book deals with just this situation without the nagging that adults are prone to do. Penny Lee watches TV all day and sleeps on it all night. All her activities take place in front of it. Her dog, Mr. Barkley, tries everything to get her attention but is unable to compete with the tube. One day, Penny Lee wakes to find her set cold and dark, and Mr. Barkley suggests taking it to the repair shop. Once outside, the child discovers the world. She finds that everything is bright and colorful and tries to adjust the light with the TV remote. On the way to the shop, she sees girls jumping rope and, with Mr. Barkley twirling, jumps the television cord. Through the course of the day, the TV plays less of a role in Penny's activities, and when she and her pup return to the shop to pick the set up and find the store closed, Penny Lee isn't even upset. "That night her dreams were commercial free." The cartoon art is lively and engaging. At the beginning of the story, the television takes center stage in every scene. Later, it is smaller and in the background, showing its diminishing role in the girl's life. This is a humorous and entertaining tale that kids and parents alike will enjoy.
Sheilah Kosco, Rapides Parish Library, Alexandria, LA

The Gingerbread Girl

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Ernst, Lisa Campbell. 2006. The Gingerbread Girl. New York: Dutton Children’s Books.

PLOT SUMMARY:

After much mourning and discussion, the little old woman and the little old man who had watched as their gingerbread boy was eaten by the sly fox decide to bake a gingerbread girl. The younger, wiser sister of the gingerbread boy is here to prove that she can outsmart the same fox that once ate her brother. Taking the same path of her brother, the gingerbread girl proves to all who chase her that she is smarter than her older brother who untimely demise provided a tragic ending to the famous folk tale.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

This positive retelling of a classic tragic tale is an uplifting story of the little sister who rises up and snatches the spotlight for herself. Becoming an instant hero for little girls everywhere, The Gingerbread Girl uses poetry and prose to tell an intriguing story about the gingerbread girl who learned from her brother’s fatal mistakes and sets out extract her revenge as well as prove to all that she is no dumb cookie. As a result of her heroic measures, she brings joy and happiness to her “parents” by providing them with friends and neighbors to keep them from being lonely. This story is entertaining as well as uplifting and inspiring, especially for little girls. The book contains short pieces of poetry that adds substance as well as humor to the story. Teachers and librarians wanting to introduce poetry to young students will find these short pieces intertwined in a lively story a great way to make students interested in poetry. This book can be used in a poetry unit as well if students are studying different types of poetry. Children as well as adults will find this tale amusing and delightful.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

2007-2008 FRA Children’s Book Award

School Library Journal:
PreSchool-Grade 2–Not as substantial a story as that of the unfortunate gingerbread boy, Ernst's confectionary tale is, nevertheless, entertaining. Like her brother, this perky pastry, covered from head to toe in candies, bolts from the oven and outruns a farm family, a pig, an artist, a cow and her calf, a dog walker, and some children at recess–before jumping onto the same fox's back. However, by using a strand of her licorice-whip hair to lasso the hungry creature, the Gingerbread Girl proves that she is one sharp cookie who knows how to turn around a sticky situation. Large, pleasantly appealing cartoon illustrations are set upon pale backgrounds of blue, mauve, tan, and green gingham. Despite the forced rhyme of the protagonist's speech (I can leap past piggy/Like all of the others./This story will not end/Like that of my brother's!) and a couple of unnecessary remarks made by the fox ( Anyone could tell by looking at her that she was an airhead), the story provides enough amusement to make it appealing–but not a first purchase.–Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
Booklist:
Everyone remembers the ill-fated Gingerbread Boy, but few know about his smarter sister. After losing the boy, his elderly bakers are loath to try another cookie, but finally they create a gingerbread girl. Sure enough, she runs away "with a leap and a twirl. You can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Girl." Inventive, though occasionally clunky rhymes describe the girl as she runs away from a dog walker, an artist, cows, and kids. Then she meets the fox, who slyly agrees to a safe trip ashore. It looks like Gingerbread Girl will go the way of her brother. But she turns out to be a smart cookie with a clever plan, a twist that's the most innovative part of the story. Ernst's familiar art, here placed against gingham-check backgrounds, utilizes the oversize format to best advantage, with large characters leaping out of their frames. On the cover, the candy-studded Gingerbread Girl with licorice-whip hair stares boldly out at readers. Kids won't be able to resist following her inside. Ilene Cooper

Bubble Bath Pirates

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Krosoczka, Jarrett J. 2003. Bubble Bath Pirates. New York: Viking.

PLOT SUMMARY:

The mother of two toddlers announces it is bath time and the fun begins. The children pretend they are pirates prepare for their bath. Bath time is accompanied by toys, games, and lots of laughter. When the bath is over the pirated receive their bounty of ice cream.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Bubble Bath Pirates is a fun book for preschool aged children. It can be used as a tool to make bath time more enjoyable for children who may not like baths or who may be afraid of water. The story shows the ritual of bath time for other young children which may inspire families to come up with their own bath time games as well. The colorful illustrations follow along with the story very closely which will aid young readers or listeners in following along with the action of the story. The pictures use lots of color with very little background distractions. This story is written to be read aloud and provides opportunities for the reader to use funny voices and sounds to bring the story alive for little listeners.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

2004 Missouri Building Block Award
Starred Review by the Center for Children’s Books
A BookSense 76 Selection
An IRA/CBC Children’s Choice

From Publishers Weekly:
"Yo ho, yo ho, it's off to the bath we go!" shout the titular budding buccaneer brothers. Their mother, no fool, plays right along: "Walk the plank!" she orders her now-naked (except for pirate headgear) charges, pointing to the frothy tub. Working in the thick, color-saturated acrylics of his previous book Baghead, Krosoczka stretches the watery playground across the gutter, and makes the bubbly tub's surface as wavy and wild as the high seas. The bathers themselves embody the snips-and-snails-and-puppy-dog-tails definition of boy, their oversize heads sporting ear-to-ear grins. They jubilantly spout pirate lingo, while their sidekick, a menacing teeth-baring, eye patch-sporting rubber ducky, looks on. A hair wash by the "mommy pirate" doesn't strike the boys as worthy of two hardened sea rovers ("Blimey!" they grimace), but they carry out the rest of their bathing duties with swashbuckling aplomb, then scamper into the kitchen to claim their treasure: ice cream, eaten straight from the container. Ages 2-5.

From School Library Journal:
PreSchool-Grade 2-A jolly "pirate mommy" turns bath time into an excursion at sea as mounds of bubbles create a foaming main for her two sons caught up in pirate fantasies. Even their snarly rubber ducky sports a black eye patch, and the only time the boys look downcast is when they remove their headgear for a hair wash. They don't stay clean long, though, because their reward is ice cream scooped straight from cartons. The unvarying call and response of the text becomes tedious, and the vividly colored illustrations include some jarring elements-the people are almost caricatures (their faces are dominated by large mouths with lots of teeth). Still, fans of Krosoczka's Good Night, Monkey Boy (Knopf, 2001) will enjoy this title as a kind of bedtime companion piece, and it may be considered where there is a need for books with this theme. A more sustained, imaginative bath excursion can be found in Jerry Pallotta's Dory Story (Charlesbridge, 2000), and Simon Puttock's Squeaky Clean (Little, Brown, 2002) offers an exuberant and appealing family of pigs enjoying their bath-time bubbles.
Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Millions of Cats

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Gag, Wanda. 1928. Millions of Cats. New York: Coward-McCann.

PLOT SUMMARY:

A lonely old couple decides to get a cat to ward off their loneliness. The old man sets out to find his wife a cat and discovers a hill filled with millions of cats. When he could not settle on which one was the prettiest, he took them all back home. The old woman knows they cannot feed and care for all of the cats so they decide to allow the cats to choose which one of them is the prettiest. The cats fought each other until there were no cats left except for one frightened little kitty. The kitten felt he was homely and that is the reason no other cat quarreled with him. The cat lived with the very old woman and man and turned into a beautiful cat.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Wanda Gag gives the classic story of the ugly duckling a new twist in her picture book, Millions of Cats. Her simple story about an old woman and man who want a cat for company turns into a tale about a kitten who feels he is homely but is really a beautiful cat once he is cared for and given love. Librarians can use Millions of Cats to draw parallels between this story and the tale of the Ugly duckling. Children can compare and contrast the two stories and also try to discover more stories with similar lessons. The book is appealing to young children since it contains lots of repetition throughout the entire book. The simple black and white illustrations have held a strong appeal to readers over time and contain a timeless look. This book can be enjoyed for many more years by readers of all ages.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS:

1929 Newbery Honor Book Award
1958 Lewis Carroll Shelf Award

"This Newbery Honor winner is distinguished by innovative design and a strong storyteller's cadence." (School Library Journal's "One Hundred Books that Shaped the Century")

"A perennial favorite." (The New York Times)