Something to Sing About

Title:  Something to Sing About Author:  C. C. Payne Publisher: Eerdmans Publishing C. ISBN: 9780802853448 Audience: 8 and up Summary: Jamie Jo Morgan has a problem: she is afraid of bees, She once saw a movie in which a young character died from bee stings so she’ll only go outside if her mother is with [...]

The Proper Use of One’s Shell

Title:  The Proper Use of One’s Shell Author:  Jennifer Johnson Illustrator:  Marley Ungaro Publisher:  This is a self-published book, see www.ProperUseProject.com ISBN:  978-0-615-25981-9 Audience:  Ages 4-8 Summary:  The Proper Use of One’s Shell is a story about a little snail and the snail’s search for friendship and love. At a time when she feels very [...]

Paul and Sebastian

Name of Book:  Paul and Sebastian Author:  René Escudié Illustrator: Ulises Wensell Translator: Roderick Townley Publisher:  Kane/Miller Book Publishers ISBN:  9780916291495 Audience:  Although, I think the book is appropriate for children ages 4-8, one review I read said that her five-year-old son became afraid when the boys were lost.  Summary:  Paul and Sebastian is a [...]

The Lions of Little Rock

Title: The Lions of Little Rock Author:  Kristen Levine Publisher:  Putnam Juvenile ISBN:  9780399256448 Audience:  Ages 10 and up Summary: In 1957 nine black students entered Central High School in Little Rock and President Eisenhower sent troops to protect them. The story was covered by almost every newspaper in the country.   Far less publicity was [...]

Every Soul a Star

Name of Book: Every Soul a Star Author: Wendy Mass Publisher:  Little, Brown, & Company, 2009 ISBN: 978-0-316-00256-1 Audience: Ages 10-13 Summary:  Three young teens become unlikely friends as they witness a solar eclipse.  Ally is homeschooled and lives with her family at the remote campground were thousands will gather to witness the solar eclipse.  [...]

Snook Alone

Name of Book: Snook Alone Author: Marilyn Nelson Publisher: Candlewick ISBN: 978-0763626679 Audience: Ages 4-8 Summary: A small dog, Snook, lives on and island with Abba Jacob, a monk. Abba prays, gardens, and tends his hermitage while Snook follows along. They are best of friends. Then one day a storm comes up and leaves Snook [...]

Oggie Cooder

Name of Book:  Oggie Cooder Author: Sarah Weeks Publisher: Scholastic ISBN: 9780439927949 Audience: Ages 8 – 12 Summary: Oggie Cooder is the class weirdo. Donnica Perfecto is his chief nemesis. She wants to win a talent show audition and thinks Oggie’s carving of cheese into shapes is the best way to win. But it is [...]

The Summer Before Boys

Name of the book:  The Summer Before Boys Author: Nora Raleigh Baskin Publisher: Simon & Schuster ISBN: 978-1416986737 Audience: Grades 6-8 Summary: Julia is staying with her friend Eliza while her father works and her mother is stationed in Iraq. Her summer is going as she thought it would, hanging out at the resort where [...]

Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival

Name of Book:   Two Bobbies:  A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival Authors:  Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery Illustrator:  Jean Cassels Publisher :  Walker & Company Audience :  Ages 4-8 Summary:   Bobbi, a dog, and Bob Cat are the best of friends.  When their hometown of New Orleans was struck by Hurricane Katrina, [...]

The Bracelet

Name of Book: The Bracelet Author:  Yoshiko Uchida Publisher:  Puffin ISBN: 978-0698113909 Audience:  Ages 4-9 Summary:   During World War II, Second grader Emi is one of thousands told they must give up everything and move to an internment camp. Why? Because their relatives came from Japan. In many cases, as in Emi’s, those relatives came [...]