Reading Public Library Children’s Room Staff Picks

Fortunately by Remy Charlip
Recommended for: PreK-2

Our hero, Ned, gets an invitation to a surprise party. Unfortunately, the party is hundreds of miles away. Fortunately, a friend lends him a plane. Thus, the adventure begins. This picture book is minimal: few words, simple pictures, fast plot. But it keeps kids engaged, guessing what will happen next: gasping when things go badly, and laughing when things get silly (and they often do). Some of the images/ideas might be a bit scary for very young children (a plane explodes, Ned falls from the sky), but the fantastical plot will reassure most readers that there is nothing to worry about. Great for an engaging read-a-loud.

Reviewed by: Mrs. Waring

Nim’s Island by Wendy Orr
Recommended for: Grades 4-5

“In a palm tree, on an island, in the middle of the wide blue sea, was a girl,”…so begins the story of Nim. She had climbed the tree to watch her father head out to sea on another scientific exploration. Now she would be alone again for three days with Fred the iguana, Selkie the sea lion, Galileo the bird, a good book, a phone and e-mail to keep her company. Usually Nim does not mind being alone, but when the wind picks up and the phone service goes down, she begins to worry. At least, she still has e-mail contact with a new, faraway friend Alex Rover, the author of her favorite adventure story Mountain Madness. As the storm worsens, it becomes clear to Alex that Nim needs real help, real soon. -Pen and ink illustrations by Kerry Millard enrich this suspenseful, heartwarming adventure story that Walden Media recently made into a movie.

Reviewed by: Brenda Wettergreen

The Scarecrow’s Hat by Ken Brown
Recommended for: PreK-1

Chicken likes the look of Scarecrow’s hat for a nest, but in order to get it, he needs to barter with the other animals he finds. This sweet tale builds upon itself and leads to a satisfying conclusion; every animal gets what it wants, and in the end, Chicken has a nice new nest. Big, beautiful illustrations are perfect for sharing at storytime.

Reviewed by: Mrs. Waring

Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard
Recommended for: PreK-1

Ever wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Sometimes you just feel grumpy, for no good reason.  Well, Grumpy Bird woke up on the wrong side of the nest, and is too grumpy to fly!  He decides to walk instead, and as he does, he is joined by his friends. At first, Grumpy Bird is annoyed by their questions and cheerfulness, but in the end, his friends are just the thing to turn Grumpy Bird into a happy camper.  A sweet tale of friendship and moods that kids of all ages can relate to.

Recommended by: Mrs. Waring

The Perfect Nest by Catherine Friend
Recommended for: PreK-1

Jack the Cat creates the perfect nest in order to get the perfect egg to make the perfect omelette.  When a chicken, a duck and a goose each lay and egg, then abandon it to find the perfect nest at the farm next door, Jack is left with three babies to care for.  This book has funny dialog and illustrations as well as a goofy plot, but it quickly turns from a hilarious tale to a heart-warming story.

Reviewed by: Mrs. Waring

Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid, by Megan McDonald

Megan McDonald first introduced little James Moody in a subordinate role as the pesty brother to the irascible Judy Moody. Now she gives him the stronger voice and a series of his own - the Stink series. In this first book, second-grader Stink is perplexed and overwhelmed by daily evidence that he is getting shorter! The trauma of losing the class pet (a newt in his care) down the kitchen drain intensifies his misery. He seeks advice from his sister and the school nurse, but ultimately finds the best consolation in his Presidents’ Day research on James Madison - our shortest president! McDonald includes factual information on newts and our Presidents, along with clever wordplay in this very funny story. The sound recording is a real treat with perfect sibling banter and voice changes by the incomparable Nancy Cartwright (the voice of Bart Simpson). When you checkout the book and/or CD, you might also want to take home a few books about salamanders and newts (including the fictional Newt), US Presidents, and other kids that shrink (Treehorn) to add to the fun.

Reviewed by: Brenda Wettergreen

Football Genius by Tim Green
Recommended for: Grades 4 - 7

Troy is a 6th grader with a single mom and two best friends who will do almost anything for him. His main fault is being sort of hot tempered when teased about sensitive subjects – like not having a father or the losing season of his favorite team, the Atlanta Falcons. His temper frequently leads him to make poor decisions.
Yet Troy has a remarkable talent. He can predict football plays. He desperately wants to use his talent to help the Falcons win, but he’s only a kid, and who will listen to him?
After many wrong turns, Troy finally gets a break, meeting Falcon’s linebacker, Seth, who comes to believe in Troy’s talent. Even with Seth on his side, it is still a frustrating quest. His mother’s job and Seth’s future with the team are threatened by a disbelieving coach.
Troy’s two friends back him up and come up with plans whenever he hits a road block.
Written by a former NFL player, the story has plenty of adventure and exciting football action.

Reviewed by: Mrs. McIntire

Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson
Recommended for Grades 5-7

Frannie is intrigued by the Emily Dickinson poem that starts- Hope is the thing with feathers. With all the drama going on in her life, hope would be a nice thing to have. Frannie’s dealing with her adored, deaf, older brother who is trying to have a normal life, and the confusion of race, prejudice and religion. When a new boy (calm, white, with long blond hair) joins her class, the kids call him “Jesus Boy”. Frannie’s growing friendship with him, her best friend’s growing holiness, the class bully’s growing anger and her mother’s fear culminate in an extremely thought-provoking book. How Woodson can pack so much into such a short, elegant book is extremely impressive! For the sophisticated reader.

Reviewed by: Ms. Fisher

Millicent Min: Girl Genius by Lisa Yee
Recommended for: Grades 5-6

Over the course of a summer, eleven and a half year-old Millicent attempts to hide her many achievements, live a more normal life, and find a friend her own age! She has already appeared on the Jay Leno show at age 2 (when she could multiply 2-digit numbers in her head) and in a PBS special on gifted children at age 7. She has also been a featured in Time magazine and the newspaper USA Today. By taking a summer course at the local college, she prepares for the day she will be high school Valedictorian, but fails to find a young friend. Will this goal be met by tutoring athletic Standford Wong? or by playing on a volleyball team with new-to-town Emily Ebers? Told in first person, diary entries, this book is full of fun references to children’s books, celebrities, trivia and pop culture - along with the more sensitive issues of divorce, menstruation and peer pressure. There are two sequels - Stanford Wong Flunks Big Time and So Totally Emily Ebers.

Reviewed by: Ms. Wettergreen

The Glitch in Sleep (The Seems: bk.1) by John Hulme and Michael Wexler
Recommended for: Grades 4-6

Becker Drane was an ordinary 3rd grader with a fairly normal life, yet he always felt that there must be something more.  Then he learns about the Seems.  The Seems has many Departments, such as Weather, Time and Sleep.  When anything goes wrong in the World, a Fixer from the Seems is sent to solve the problem.
Becker becomes the youngest Fixer ever at age 12. His first mission involves a Glitch in the Department Sleep – a Glitch he must stop before it can cause a Ripple Effect, potentially destroying the functioning of many more Seems Departments and the safety of the World.  Can Becker find the Glitch in time to save the World?

Reviewed by: Mrs. McIntire