Sunday, May 31, 2009

Top of the Order

Jackson is in fifth grade and loves to play baseball. His team is struggling to find enough good players this year. Other events such as his mother's new boyfriend, injury to a teammate, the upcoming move to a new middle school, and a girl who wants to be on the team, all add complications to the story. But Jackson and his three best friends, Gig, Isaac, and Diego, pull it together to create the core of a strong team, the 'top of the order'. Written by John Coy, this is his first sports story for mddle grade readers.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Minnesota, Hail to Thee!

Written to honor the state's sesquicentennial in 2008, this is a very readable presentation of Minnesota history. From the Kensington Runestone, to the voyageurs, to native Americans, and first settlers through to modern times, all the major events and themes are well covered. As a Minnesota native, who thought I'd read/heard it all, I found several tidbits that I had either forgotten or hadn't heard about before. Excellent illustrations enhance the text. Written by Karel Ann Marling, this is an excellent resource for Minnesota history classes, and includes suggested activities, bibliography and photo credits in back.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Elvis and Olive

School is out, and Natalie is expecting a quiet, boring summer. That was, until she met her quirky new neighbor Annie. The girls soon become friends, and create a plan to spy on their neighbors. Their code names for this project: Elvis and Olive. This spying game is fun, until something goes a bit too far and feelings are hurt. A first book from Stephanie Watson, a St. Paul resident; this interesting story also raises a few questions for discussion.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Julia Gillian (And the Quest for Joy)

In the second (and newest) story about Julia, a new school year has just started, and it's not going well. Her best friend doesn't seem to want to be friends anymore. Eager to start trumpet lessons, she finds it is more difficult than it looks. And a strict new lunchroom monitor has just about taken all the joy out of life. Written by Alison McGhee, illustrated by Drazen Kozjan, this is a well told story of a young girls life in south Minneapolis.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Monkey With a Toolbelt

When I posted about the second 'Monkey' book a few days ago, I realized I hadn't written about the first one. This book will introduce readers to the monkey named Chico who wears a toolbelt with many amazing tools on it. He is also a very skilled and creative monkey who can use the tools to fix many different things. One day while sitting outside, he notices a banana split on a stool across the street. He goes to investigate, but unfortunately, it is a trick and he is captured by the organ grinder from a circus. Readers will have to read the story to find out if the monkey can use his tools to escape and find his way home again. Written and illustrated by Chris Monroe, this is a promising new series. And, by the way, it was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 2009.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Wanted: Best Friend

Here is a humorous story about a cat who loves to play checkers. His usual opponent is Mouse, but Cat has won so many games that Mouse would like to play Crazy Eights instead. Cat refuses, and Mouse leaves in a huff; leaving Cat to find a new best friend to play games with. After disasterous encounters with Mole, Otter, and Raccoon, Cat decides that Mouse really was his best friend. Now, how to win him back? Read this clever story by A.M. Monson to find out. The illustrations by Lynn Munsinger add to the fun of this story. It was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award in 1998.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Sixty Years and Sixty Heroes

Young adult sports fans of the Twins, Vikings, and other Minnesota teams will enjoy browsing this collection of stories about heroics on the court or playing field. Each double page spread highlights one most-important sports event in Minnesota for each year from 1948 to 2008. Each spread provides a description of the season and game being featured, and a biographical sketch of the hero of the day. The layout in a two-column format, makes the text a bit dense, but readers can easily pick-and-choose favorite sports and/or heroes to read about. The book is written by Ross Bernstein and is a second revised edition of his 1997 title, "Fifty Years: Fifty Heroes".

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Monkey With a Tool Belt and the Noisy Problem

In this second story of the Monkey with Tool Belt; our hero, Chico Bon Bon has to solve the problem of a loud noise within his house. Using his tools, Chico looks everywhere, but can't find the noise until he checks the laundry chute where he finds Clark, an elephant, is stuck. Now he must find a way to free the elephant. Written and illustrated by Minnesotan, Chris Monroe, this will be enjoyed by young readers.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Peter, Peter, Pizza-Eater and Other Silly Rhymes

Bruce Lansky is the editor (and frequently, the author) of the poems in this collection of funny, twisted versions of Mother Goose rhymes. From the title version of Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater to Peter Piper Painted Pickles, to Rub-a-Dub-Dub, and Jack Be Nimble; they're all here and all sure to make readers laugh. Clever color illustrations by Stephen Carpenter add to the fun.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Minnesota Wildflowers

Subtitled "A Children's Guide to the State's Most Common Flowers", this slim volume provides a pictorial introduction to approximately 65 wildflowers and berries found in Minnesota. Arranged by biome, the entries provide common and scientific names, size, and a brief description of each plant. With text by Beverly Magley, and illustrations by D. D. Dowden, this was published in 1992, making it an oldie-but-goodie. There are used copies available from Amazon for those interested in purchasing it.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors

Children learn to recognize colors at a young age. But, have they ever really felt them? In this new poetry book from Joyce Sidman, the author brings the colors of the four seasons into a fresh light, and helps readers combine their senses of sight, sound, smell, and taste to understand color in a fresh new way. The illustrations by Pamela Zagarenski help to bring out all the various ways to sense color. The combination of words and pictures is right on target.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Paula Bunyan

Everyone knows the story of Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox. Not as many have heard of his little sister, Paula. This is just the book to introduce readers to her. Paula could always outrun Paul, and out-wrestle him three times out of six, and she had several other special talents that will entertain young readers, including a singing voice of amazing strength. Written by Phyllis Root, with illustrations by Kevin O'Malley, this must be part of library folklore collections for children.