Book Review - No, David!

About the Book
No. David! is The Caldecott Honor-winning classic by bestselling picture-book creator David Shannon!

When David Shannon was five years old, he wrote and illustrated his first book. On every page were these words: NO, DAVID! . . . and a picture of David doing things he was not supposed to do. Now David is all grown up. But some things never change. . . .Over fifteen years after its initial publication, NO, DAVID! remains a perennial household favorite, delighting children, parents, and teachers alike. David is a beloved character whose unabashed good humor, mischievous smile, and laughter-inducing antics underline the love parents have for their children--even when they misbehave.

My Take on the Book
I love kids books and as someone that has read many, this is a book that I have loved for many years. David is a kid that pushes every button and because of this he definitely gets himself in trouble. As you read though you will see that the story has a deeper message about the love that every child needs, no matter of you have a David in your family or not!

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Book Review - Moo Hoo

About the Book
In Moo Hoo, grab your tissues and meet Milton, a bawling bull who learns to embrace his tears and all his big feelings in this relatable read-aloud perfect for fans of Grumpy Monkey, The Day the Crayons Quit, and The Story of Ferdinand.

Milton has a wonderful life.

But he cries . . . A LOT.

He cries when he's sad. Obviously.

And also when he's happy,

and scared, and nervous, and frustrated,

and, well, you name it.

Milton's friends are baffled by his tears, which only makes him cry more.

Until Milton meets Wanda.

This warm-hearted, rib-tickling read-aloud will make you laugh yourself to tears as it gently affirms feeling all your feelings and embracing exactly who you are.

My Take on the Book

This book was perfect for exploring the importance of finding great friends who will accept you, no matter who you are. At the same time, the book also lets kids know that if they have a lot of emotions, it is ok, and they should just be themselves. This was an excellent book for young kids and parents to share! It will allow you to have meaningful conversations after reading it together!

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Book Review - The Ash House

About the Book
An unsettling, gripping middle grade debut about searching for a sense of belonging in the wrong places, and the bravery it takes to defy those who seek to control us. This is Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children meets Lord of the Flies for fans of Neil Gaiman and Holly Black.

When Eleven-year-old Sol arrives at the Ash House, desperate for a cure for his complex pain syndrome, he finds a community of strange children long abandoned by their mysterious Headmaster.

The children at the Ash House want the new boy to love their home as much as they do. They give him a name like theirs. They show him the dorms and tell him about the wonderful oasis that the Headmaster has created for them. But the new boy already has a name. Doesn't he? At least he did before he walked through those gates...

This was supposed to be a healing refuge for children like him. Something between a school and a summer camp. With kids like him. With pain like his. But no one is allowed to get sick at the Ash House. NO ONE.

And then The Doctor arrives...

Strange things are about to happen at the mysterious Ash House. And the longer Sol spends on the mysterious grounds, the more he begins to forget who he is, the more the other children begin to distrust him, and the worse his pain becomes. But can he hold onto reality long enough to find an escape? And better yet, can he convince the others?

 

My Take on the Book
This is one of those books that you will not want to put down. The book is a horror novel geared at middle-school age readers, but to be honest, even as an adult I found the book to be a ton of fun to read. The book has a lot of great elements that make it memorable. From kids that are just, well, eerie, to strange surgeries, a spooky house, and more, this book captures your attention and does not let go until the very end. By the end of the book you will be wanting more, trust me on that! 

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Book Review - The Little Butterfly That Could

About the Book
Which way to the flowers?
That way. 200 miles.
How am I supposed to travel that far?!
You fly.
Can I take a plane?
No.
Then I'll never make it!

This comical companion to Ross Burach's The Very Impatient Caterpillar pays loving homage to every child's struggle to persist through challenges while also delivering a lighthearted lesson on butterfly migration. Remember, if at first you don't succeed, fly, fly again!

 

My Take on the Book
If you loved the very impatient caterpillar, you will love this book. It has a wonderful message that encourages kids of all ages to keep trying no matter what the odds. Will the caterpillar make it to find the other butterflies or not. The book is so much fun, with amazing images and more. 

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Book Review - Banana Fox and the Secret Sour Society

About the Book
From Eisner Award-winning cartoonist James Kochalka comes an uproariously funny new series. Banana Fox is on the case! 

Wowie pow! 

The great detective Banana Fox is called back to duty to find a missing turtle. But the deeper he digs, the more he discovers, and it's worse than he thought! The Secret Sour Society is back, and they're mixing up a bunch of trouble. Can Banana Fox and his sidekick, Flashlight, put an end to the Secret Sour Society once and for all? 

Graphix series are ideal books for even the youngest readers. With funny, simple text, unforgettable characters, illustrations that support comprehension, and approachable story lengths, these books grow newly independent readers' confidence and turn them into lifelong book lovers! 

 

My Take on the Book
This was a funny book with some great characters that you will love! Banana Fox is quirky and funny and the book itself brings you on a fun romp into a mystery that your kids will love to read. If your child love humor and graphic novels, this is a fun book for all young readers!

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Book Review - We Must Not Forget: Holocaust Stories of Survival and Resistance

About the Book

Sibert Honor author Deborah Hopkinson unearths the heroic stories of Jewish survivors from different countries so that we may never forget the past.

As World War II raged, millions of young Jewish people were caught up in the horrors of the Nazis' Final Solution. Many readers know of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi state's genocidal campaign against European Jews and others of so-called "inferior" races. Yet so many of the individual stories remain buried in time. Of those who endured the Holocaust, some were caught by the Nazis and sent to concentration camps, some hid right under Hitler's nose, some were separated from their parents, some chose to fight back. Against all odds, some survived. They all have stories that must be told. They all have stories we must keep safe in our collective memory.

In this thoroughly researched and passionately written narrative nonfiction for upper middle-grade readers, critically acclaimed author Deborah Hopkinson allows the voices of Holocaust survivors to live on the page, recalling their persecution, survival, and resistance. Focusing on testimonies from across Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Poland, Hopkinson paints a moving and diverse portrait of the Jewish youth experience in Europe under the shadow of the Third Reich. With archival images and myriad interviews, this compelling and beautifully told addition to Holocaust history not only honors the courage of the victims, but calls young readers to action -- by reminding them that heroism begins with the ordinary, everyday feat of showing compassion toward our fellow citizens.

 

My Take on the Book
The Holocaust is not a topic that I have seen discussed to this extent in a way that young adults would fully understand, but this book does just that. It is amazingly researched and written in a way that young people can understand. The book is powerful and poignant and definitely a book that will open the eyes of anyone that reads it. The stories held within the book are stories of strength and survival. Not all of the stories will be easy to read, but they are ones that need to be read so that what happened in the Holocaust will never happen again. This is a book I highly recommend for all!

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Book Review - Separate No More: The Long Road to Brown v. Board of Education

About the Book
Critically acclaimed author Lawrence Goldstone offers an affecting portrait of the road to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, which significantly shaped the United States and effectively ended segregation.

Since 1896, in the landmark outcome of Plessy v. Ferguson, the doctrine of "separate but equal" had been considered acceptable under the United States Constitution. African American and white populations were thus segregated, attending different schools, living in different neighborhoods, and even drinking from different water fountains. However, as African Americans found themselves lacking opportunity and living under the constant menace of mob violence, it was becoming increasingly apparent that segregation was not only unjust, but dangerous.

Fighting to turn the tide against racial oppression, revolutionaries rose up all over America, from Booker T. Washington to W. E. B. Du Bois. They formed coalitions of some of the greatest legal minds and activists, who carefully strategized how to combat the racist judicial system. These efforts would be rewarded in the groundbreaking cases of 1952-1954 known collectively as Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, in which the US Supreme Court would decide, once and for all, the legality of segregation -- and on which side of history the United States would stand.

In this thrilling examination of the path to Brown v. Board of Education, Constitutional law scholar Lawrence Goldstone highlights the key trials and players in the fight for integration. Written with a deft hand, this story of social justice will remind readers, young and old, of the momentousness of the segregation hearings.

 

My Take on the Book
This was an amazing book that explored the Brown v. Board of Education case in ways that young adults can understand. Beyond this though I have to say that it was also written in a way that better helped me, as an adult to understand all of the intricacies of the case as well. The book also explored the implications and outcomes that came from the decision and what happened in schools following the decision as well. This was an amazing book that will really open your eyes to this case and allow your kids to truly appreciate the long-standing ramifications from Brown v. Board of Education case.
 
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Book Review - Ground Zero

About the Book
In time for the twentieth anniversary of 9/11, master storyteller Alan Gratz (Refugee) delivers a pulse-pounding and unforgettable take on history and hope, revenge and fear -- and the stunning links between the past and present.

September 11, 2001, New York City: Brandon is visiting his dad at work, on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center. Out of nowhere, an airplane slams into the tower, creating a fiery nightmare of terror and confusion. And Brandon is in the middle of it all. Can he survive -- and escape?

September 11, 2020, Afghanistan: Reshmina has grown up in the shadow of war, but she dreams of peace and progress. When a battle erupts in her village, Reshmina stumbles upon a wounded American soldier named Taz. Should she help Taz -- and put herself and her family in mortal danger?

Two kids. One devastating day. Nothing will ever be the same.

 

My Take on the Book
Two worlds apart, two young people having their lives changed in ways they could not have expected. While the book is fiction, there are truths that are shared throughout the book which makes the book very powerful. I found that even though it was written for young adults, it was a great read with powerful characters and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. This is a book you will not want to miss! 

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Book Review - Witch Born

About the Book
Alyce's mother has just been burnt at the stake for practicing witchcraft. With only a thin set of instructions and a witch’s mommet for guidance, Alyce must face the world that she’s been sealed off from -- a world of fear and superstition. With a witch hunter fast on her trail, she’ll need the help of an innkeeper and a boy looking to discover the truth behind his own mother's past.

But as her journey continues, another war rages: a hidden war of the supernatural, of the living and the dead. Good and evil are blurred, and nobody’s motives can be trusted. And Alyce finds herself thrown unwillingly into the conflict. Struggling to understand her own powers, she is quickly drawn into a web of secret, lies, and dark magic that could change the fate of the world she is just coming to know.

This dark, twisty, and thrillingly original debut will leave readers entranced in its suspenseful plot and rich prose.





My Take on the Book
While this is fiction there is a ton of history intertwined throughout too. The book is also infused with magic, mystery, suspense and more. I love history and with the fact that this book brings in a rivalry between Queen Elizabeth and Mary Queen of Scots, this was a book that I truly enjoyed. The author created a world that really made you feel that you were in 1577 which was amazing. The book is powerful as well, especially as you see how the book starts and you see that Alyce's mother is burned at the stake for being a witch. While Alyce escapes, she is not safe and this book follows her as she works to evade witch hunters and tries to find safety. By the end of the book I will say that I was hoping to see more books from Nicholas Bowling, as he really does create a tale that is compelling and one that draws you in as a reader throughout the entire book.


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Book Review - Time Jumpers: Escape from Egypt

About the Book
Chase and Ava are ready for their next adventures as Time Jumpers! When Chase touches the dead, green-backed beetle in the suitcase, he and Ava spin through time -- to King Tut's tomb! Now they have to put the beetle back where it belongs. But the man with different color eyes is still chasing them... Why does he want these objects? Chase and Ava need to stay one step ahead of this bad guy. And they need to find some answers! Oriol Vidal's engaging illustrations appear on every page. Newly independent readers will eat up this time-travel series from New York Times bestselling author Wendy Mass.




My Take on the Book
This is another great addition to this fun series. My daughter has enjoyed reading these books in the past and they are written in a way that is easy for young independent readers to find success. The book has a ton of adventure and action and incorporates places that many kids have never experienced before. You will find that the characters are a ton of fun and that kids will be drawn to them (or at least I see that in my own daughter). I love to see how quickly my daughter reads through this book as I know that this shows how much she enjoys the book itself.


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Book Review - Scholastic Discover More: Monsters: Myth or Fact

About the Book
A Scholastic Level 2 Reader all about monsters and whether they really exist!

Prepare to be scared! Come face-to-face with some of the world's most famous monsters and creatures: the Komodo dragon, giant squid, vampire bats, the Minotaur, Hydra, Bigfoot, and Yeti. Are they myth? Or fact? This Level 2 Reader explores the reality behind all of the most terrifying monsters. The book uses simple text and full-color photographs and artwork throughout.

With compelling themes, supporting facts, technical vocabulary, vivid maps and charts, and a variety of writing styles and text structures, Scholastic Discover More Readers are tailored to the new era of high expectations. The unique informational text reading levels have been developed and vetted by Scholastic reading experts.



My Take on the Book
This was a easy-reader that any child who has an interest in some of the monsters from myth and legend. The book goes into depth on these creatures and shares information for how they may have been created (through fact or fiction) and shares that with the reader. The book was informative and fun and the child reading this will leave much more informed about history and some of the monsters  they love!


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Book Review - Goosebumps Most Wanted Special Edition: Trick or Trap

About the Book
The infamous, Most Wanted Goosebumps characters are out on the loose and after you. Just in time for Halloween, a super special edition!

It's Halloween and that means time for trick-or-treating. And scary parties. But this year things are taking a turn for the terrifying. Scott and Amanda throw a bash at an old haunted house. There won't be any treats, only traps. Traps for a few bullies that are always bugging them at school. What could possibly go wrong? How about a haunted house with a mind of its own? A house that would rather play its own tricks and set its own traps...



My Take on the Book
Another spine-chilling tale for young adults to read and share with their friends. After reading this, you get to start looking at some of the big, spooky houses in your own town in a different way and wondering whether they too have secrets, and a mind of their own. This was a great book that will leave you on the edge of your seat and will keep you guessing throughout until the very end.


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DVD Review - 20 Back-To-School Tales

About the DVD
In 20 Back-To-School Tales , a new single-disc release from "Scholastic Storybook Treasures: The Classic Collection", get ready to learn ABCs and 123s with these colorful movies faithfully adapted from classic books!

Full list of stories including:

• How Do Dinosaurs Go to School?
• Splat the Cat
• Wheels on the Bus
• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
• Sky Color
• Crazy Hair Day
• The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash
• Monty
• Emily's First 100 Days of School
• The Gym Teacher from the Black Lagoon
• The Librarian from the Black Lagoon
• Miss Nelson Has a Field Day
• Miss Nelson Is Back
• Will I Have a Friend
• Open Wide: Tooth School Inside
• Otto Runs for President
• Owen
• The Scrambled States of America Talent Show
• Shrinking Violet
• The Teacher from the Black Lagoon

My Take on the DVD
This is a great collection of stories that, while short in length, will keep and capture your childs' imagination and curiosity. The stories are well narrated and illustrated and it was nice to have so many of the stories that my youngest daughter loves all in one DVD. I could see this as a nice addition to any home, but also a nice addition to an elementary teachers' resources as they read great books to the kids they could easily use this to supplement!


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