 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
First Rate Reads We’re passing on some of our favorites! Click on the title or book cover to go to the catalog (you can then place a hold, and be notified when it is ready to be picked up at the library). For an archived list of book reviews, click here.
Adam Rex Reviewed by Liz May 7, 2008 Since the great invasion of Earth by the alien Boov, Christmas has been renamed "Smekday," and all humans are being relocated to Florida. 11-year-old Gratuity (her friends call her Tip), determined to find her abducted mother, hops in the family car and drives south. Along the way, she meets a Boov mechanic who agrees to help her in exchange for a ride. Mistrustful at first, Gratuity reluctantly accepts the alien as a companion, and these two mismatched heroes attempt to save the world from further danger. Of course, they find help - in the form of an annoying cat named Pig, a lot of sugary snacks, a man known as Chief Shouting Bear, and the secret underground resistance movement known as BOOB. A hilarious read for older kids (ages 8 and up).
Adam Rex Reviewed by Liz April 23, 2008 One day while at the zoo, a girl hears a "pssst!" The gorilla says he wants a new tire for his swing, the javelina says she needs trash cans (just for trash), and the bats say they need flashlights (for the hippopotamus). What happens when a bunch of animals that have been cooped up too long meet a helpful visitor?
Jennifer Bryant Reviewed by Kate March 26, 2008 Narrated by nine different characters, this novel is written in free verse, which won’t interfere with your enjoyment! The narrators, including four kids, describe the effects of the “Monkey Trial” on themselves and their town the summer that a popular teacher was on trial for teaching evolution. Written with humor, this book would be best enjoyed by older elementary and middle school readers.
Gordon Korman Reviewed by Liz March 22, 2008 Six strangers find themselves on a boat in the middle of the ocean as part of a program for "troubled" kids. None of them want to be there or to have anything to do with each other. But when disaster strikes and the ship begins sinking, the kids find they have nothing to rely on but a desert island -- and each other. They must learn to trust in each other's abilities in order to survive. Start with the fist book: Shipwreck. For kids 9 - 12ish.
Bob McLeod Reviewed by Liz March 12, 2008 "Astro-Man is always alert for an alien attack. He avoids asteroids! He has asthma! He's awesome!" The superheroes in this book explode from the page in comic style. One superhero per letter of the alphabet makes for fun, exciting alphabet lessons for any fan of comic books. Check out other ABC books here.
Niki Daly Reviewed by Liz March 12, 2008 When Ruby comes home a huge "Hi, everybody!" rings through the neighborhood - Ruby is LOUD! In fact, she is so loud even her school friends think she's too loud to have around. But her jazz-playing neighbors Bernard and Zelda think she's got a great voice. See how Ruby learns to control her volume and discover her hidden talent! This picture book's pages are filled with Ruby's vocals.
(books by various authors) Reviewed by Liz March 5, 2008 Ready to start reading? These great books walk you through the best steps to begin reading - reading together, prompting, etc. Simple stories and simple sentences ("An apple falls. Otter picks it up.") make for easy and fun reading practice. Check them out in the JE-R (beginning readers) section under BRA for Brand New Readers.
Beverly Cleary Reviewed by Liz March 5, 2008 Ralph is a mouse whose family has never ventured outside the hotel where they scrounge crumbs for a living. Ralph, however, dreams of adventure. When a human boy visits the hotel and brings along his shiny toy motorcycle, Ralph strikes up a very unusual friendship and discovers that once a mouse can ride a motorcycle, anything can happen! For kids in 3rd grade and up!
Roald Dahl Reviewed by Liz February 21, 2008 "My father, without the slightest doubt, was the most marvelous and exciting father any boy ever had. You might think, if you didn't know him well, that he was a stern and serious man. He wasn't. What made him appear so serious was the fact that he never smiled with his mouth. He did it all with his eyes..." This story is about the deepest, darkest secret Danny's father had, and the strange adventures it led them both into. For kids ages 8 and up.
Jon J Muth (based on a story by Leo Tolstoy) Reviewed by Liz February 21, 2008 When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do? Young Nikolai seeks counsel from his animal friends, but it is his response to a stranger's cry for help that leads him directly to the answers he is looking for. For kids ages 4-8.
For an archived list of book reviews, click here. |
| Content is copyright (c) Highland Township Public Library. Questions/comments, email the webmaster here. | |
The
True Meaning of Smekday
