Gardens are a perfect way to engage young people in the process of learning, growing and harvesting plants. A simple pot, plant box or raised bed could become a garden at school or home. A garden has the potential to bring children, families and communities together to learn where food comes from and gain a better appreciation for how food impacts health. Below is a list of books from the International Reading Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG). The titles in this column could accompany a garden unit.

GRADES K-3

Christensen, Bonnie. (2012). Plant a little seed. New York: Roaring Brook Press.

A community garden is the focus of this book as two gardeners, a young boy and a young girl, plan, plant, weed, water and wait for their garden. In simplistic rhythmic language, each page takes readers through the seasons of the garden with these children and their dog, and a family of rabbits that take an interest in the garden as well. An interested raccoon also appears in the corn. The actual waiting for signs of sprouts and imagining the rewards are part of the process of the garden and evidenced with each bold and energetic illustration as the end papers, front and back, add to the informational aspects of planting seeds and patiently watching them unfold. Teachers will find the lesson at ReadWriteThink “How Does My Garden Grow? Writing in Science Field Journals” a usable companion for this book.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library & Reading Consultant

Fry, Stella. (2012). Grandpa’s garden. Illus. by Sheila Moxley. Concord, MA: Barefoot Books.

Young Billy and his Grandpa are planning a garden. Billy quickly learns that it is hard work to dig and loosen the soil, plant the seeds and do the required weeding. As the growing season moves through the summer months, Billy patiently watches the garden develop into the vegetables they planted. Fall brings the enjoyment of the harvested crop. The time Billy spends with Grandpa in learning the facts and background about creating and maintaining a garden strengthens that special bond between grandchild and grandparent. “Watching a Garden Grow” lesson idea is a ReadWriteThink connection to Grandpa’s Garden.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library & Reading Consultant

Grigsby, Susan. (2012). First peas to the table: How Thomas Jefferson inspired a school garden.  Illus. by Nicole Tadgell. Chicago, IL: Albert Whitman.

Based on the true story of Thomas Jefferson’s pea-growing contest with his neighbors, Maya’s teacher begins a gardening project with her class. Maya and her classmates are challenged to raise peas in their school garden but they can also grow peas at home to race to see who can bring the “first peas to the table” contest, just like Thomas Jefferson did many years ago. Taking the challenge to heart, Maya reads and researches how to raise peas including information she found in Thomas Jefferson’s Garden Book. Maya and her friend Shakayla select different methods of growing their peas while learning about the scientific method in addition to historical background on America’s former president and his interest in agriculture. Additional background on Jefferson can be found at the end of the book. Teacher resources, coloring pages, a pea-growing contest and more can be found at the publisher’s website, or try Mrs. Obama’s pea salad recipe from the White House blog Obama Foodorama. 

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library & Reading Consultant

Quattlebaum, Mary. (2012). Jo MacDonald had a garden. Illus. by Laura J. Bryant. Nevada City, CA: Dawn Publications.

The familiar Old MacDonald of folklore and song now has a young granddaughter, Jo, tending the garden with her cousin Mike. The two cousins work at planting and watering and weeding as they watch the garden grow. Written in the pattern of the traditional song, readers will enjoy singing along with each new turn of the page on the alert for new things happening in the garden. In addition to watching the plants get bigger, young readers will be watchful as critters start to appear and visit the garden. The book offers back matter to offer suggestions and tips for gardening. Teaching guides and downloadable activities are available at the publisher’s website.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library & Reading Consultant

Rosenberg, Madelyn. (2012). Happy birthday, tree!: A Tu B’Shevat story. Illus. by Jana Christy. Chicago, IL: Albert Whitman.

The birthday of the trees or Tu B’Shevat is a Jewish holiday that celebrates trees and reminds us to take care of our earth. In vibrant watercolor illustrations Joni climbs the broad tree in her front yard. She sings Happy Birthday but notices the tree just stands there. Joni then convinces her friend to help organize a party. Together they give the tree water, make a soil cupcake and put a bird in the branches. The tree continues to be still, yet looks happier. The friend then suggests that maybe the tree wants to be with other trees so Joni persuades her mother to take them to a nursery to purchase a little tree. They plant the little tree across the yard from the big one so that they can be friends. Then they give each tree a party hat and promise to take care of the trees by protecting and watering them. Both trees wave their branches and rattle their leaves in happiness. The book closes with suggestions and ideas to help the Earth in the branches of a large tree on the end pages. 

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

Spurr, Elizabeth. (2012). In the garden. Illus. by Manelle Oliphant. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree.

This board book, for very young children, has only one or two words per page. First, a boy prepares the soil by spading the Earth, pulling weeds and making rows. Then he, “Digs holes. / Drops seeds. / Covers / Wets / Waits.” In one illustration readers will notice adults working in the garden, yet this child is able to do everything on his own. Rain and sun help the tiny green sprouts to peep out. Then the boy lies on the ground to observe the leaves, shoots and blossoms. Finally, the fruit appears to everyone’s delight! The simplicity and size make this the perfect book for budding gardeners. 

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

GRADES 4-8

Gourley, Robbin. (2011). First garden: The White House garden and how it grew. New York: Clarion. 

Filled with watercolor illustrations that simply make readers lick their lips in anticipation of the healthy meals that can be made from these delicious fruits and vegetables grown in the White House garden, this book is also a tribute to sustainability. A perfect introduction to gardening, it is filled with Presidential history as well as ecological notes. This particular garden was planted in 2009 as part of the First Lady’s campaign for healthy eating, but it wasn’t the first time the White House's pristine lawns have been used for agriculture. In fact, in amusing vignettes, the author provides several examples of Presidents whose cows and sheep grazed on the lawn. She also includes Presidential quotes about gardening, making this a useful title for science and social studies. Not only does the garden provide food for the White House, but it also provides fresh vegetables for others as well, providing hands-on experiences for local school children about planting seeds and then nurturing the growing plants through each phase of the cycle of life. The theme of sustainability runs through the entire book, and a photograph of the White House staff, the First Lady, and the local children proudly displaying the fruits of their labor attests to the boost in self-esteem a project such as this one can have. The book also includes recipes using garden produce. This book might inspire other schools and communities to start digging and planting. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Potter, Ellen. (2012). The humming room. New York: Feiwel and Friends.

Inspired by the classic The Secret Garden, this story begins with 12-year old Roo orphaned when her drug-dealer father is killed along with her mother. She is sent to live with a widowed reclusive uncle on Cough Rock Island in the St. Lawrence River in upstate New York. Her uncle travels most of the time so his assistant, Ms. Valentine is sent to fetch Roo and bring her to Maine to begin a new life in a very mysterious old mansion, formerly a tuberculosis sanitarium. Roo begins to explore and soon hears mysterious noises and sounds that eventually lead her to a homeless boy, a secret box under the floorboards and a hidden garden. This suspenseful ghost story can stand alone on its own merit but might also lead readers to the children’s classic, The Secret Garden. The Humming Room could become a companion piece and create a comparative discussion for students between the two books. A book trailer and author information including her Skype classroom visits can be found at the author’ website.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library & Reading Consultant

Silvey, Anita. (2012). The plant hunters: True stories of their daring adventures to the far corners of the Earth. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux.

Our theme this week is about gardening and we tend to think about planting seeds, taking care of the garden and watching it grow. This book, The Plant Hunters, is about how scientists acquired many of those seeds. This reads like an adventure story as explorers from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries traveled around the globe in search of new seeds and plants to bring back to North America. Many exciting, even life-threatening scenes unfold as these adventurers brave hazardous weather, dangerous animals and insects, and remote locations as they seek exotic and unusual plants. Using many primary sources and beautifully illustrated plant artwork, sketches and photographs, this volume opens the doors to the history behind many of the plants we enjoy today.Teachers can use the interactive white board activity from the New York Botanical Garden called “Become a Professional Plant Hunter”. From ReadWriteThink, teachers can find a research project for middle schoolers entitled, “Let it Grow; an inquiry-based gardening research project”.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library & Reading Consultant

GRADES 9-12

Neff, Beth. (2012). Getting somewhere. New York: Viking.

Filled with exquisite phrases amid a somewhat predictable plot line, this book describes an imaginary alternative to a detention setting for teen girls who have fallen off the beaten path. This may be the last chance for Lauren, Cassie, Sarah, and Jenna who end up working on a vegetable farm along with three women in rural Michigan. All of them have emotional baggage and complicated histories and secrets, which begin to be revealed over the course of the two months they spend planting, digging, weeding, and harvesting. At first, of course, each girl complains about having to work in the soil and labor in the hot sun, but over time they come to appreciate the food they are growing and the bonds they are slowly building. It is clear from the beginning that Lauren will have the most difficulty changing since she constantly plots to escape while the other girls seize the second chance and affection they are being offered by Ellie, Grace, and Donna, who are in charge of the farm and alternative program. For some, hard outdoor work, trust, and sharing are precisely what they need to change their live changes and stay on the road to recovery. Realizing that not every broken person can be repaired, readers will pity those who return to the same problems they left behind when they landed on the farm. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Obama, Michelle. (2012). American grown: The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America. New York: Random House.

After planting a kitchen garden on the White House’s South Lawn in 2009, First Lady Michelle Obama and the White House staff were delighted as fresh vegetables, fruit, and herbs flourished in the garden. This book, filled with beautiful photographs of the plants, tells the chronological story of that garden seasonally from spring to winter. As is the case with any brand-new gardener, the First Lady describes her initial concerns about whether the seeds would sprout or the plants would grow. Just as any 4-H member knows, the hard work and worries are long forgotten once the plants begin to flourish and it is time to harvest the fruits and vegetables. Readers will surely want to try the recipes using the garden’s bounty. And maybe, just maybe, they will feel inspired to cultivate a garden in their own backyards or dedicate a small portion of their patio to gardening. The book also contains stories of other American gardens that are first steps in eating and living more healthily. It all starts with a small seed, as this book, perfect for sharing with the whole family, vividly shows. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Also, visit IRA's Common Core State Standards resources section to read Lesley Mandel Morrow's Reading Today article entitled "A Primary Grade Science Unit Using the Language Arts/Literacy Common Core State Standards".

While many of today’s classrooms are filled with students who grew up just around the corner from the schools they now attend, many of the students in those same classrooms may be new to the United States and unfamiliar with the particular routines and practices of American schools. The language and pedagogy may be completely foreign to these youngsters, leaving them feeling isolated and disconcerted. Books for children and young adults offer one way to help students from various cultures feel welcome while also offering a promising avenue for teachers and students to learn about the similarities and differences that exist among cultures. For this week’s book reviews, members of the International Reading Association Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) examine some recent multicultural titles that have expanded what we know of the world.

GRADES K-3

Buitrago, Jairo. (2012). Jimmy the greatest! Illus. by Rafael Yockteng; Translated by Elisa Amado. Toronto: Groundwood Books/ House of Anansi Press.

A Colombian author and illustrator have crafted for young readers an inspirational story about a boy named Jimmy who thinks he wants to become a boxer. One small gym nestles among the many ramshackle houses in a small Caribbean village by the sea. Once Jimmy starts to hang out there, Don Apolinar, the gym’s owner, gives him a box of books and newspaper clippings about Muhammad Ali, often called “the greatest” by boxing fans. Jimmy reads all about the famous American boxer and starts running, shadow boxing, and training to become a boxing contender, even though someone has stolen his shoes. As Jimmy spends time learning the sport, he also notices that many villagers, including the gym’s owner, wish to leave their small village to find a better life. Jimmy discovers something about himself and decides to stay in the village and manage the gym for the community, even adding a library. Although young sports fans will enjoy this book, it is also a reminder to take pride in what are doing, enjoy the job you have chosen, and find pleasure in your surroundings. The 2010 Spanish edition of this book, Jimmy el más grande, has been nominated for the Best Books of the Year list by Venezuela's Banco del Libro.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Hughes, Langston. (2012). I, too, am America. Illus. by Bryan Collier. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

In this visually attractive book, illustrator Bryan Collier has artistically interpreted the 1925 poem by Langston Hughes, “I, Too, Sing America.” The book opens with a train whizzing along, allowing the visual images to tell the story of the Pullman railway porters. Relying solely on the sparse lines of Hughes’ poem, the Pullman porters’ story also unfolds pieces of African American history. As the porters clean up the cars after passengers have disembarked, they throw the debris, newspapers, books, and jazz records from the caboose. Field workers and others find these castoffs and learn more about their own history. Using the American flag “veiled” throughout each page, Collier depicts aspects of African American life. In the final scene, a young boy and his mother are looking out a train window that is travelling through today. Pair this poetic picture book with Patricia and Fredrick McKissack’s A Long Hard Journey: The Story of the Pullman Porter (2001) for more background information on the porters.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Krishnaswami, Uma (2012).  Out of the way! Out of the way!  Illus. by Uma Krishnaswamy. Toronto: Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press.

Set in a small Indian village, this story that was first published in India follows a young boy who discovers a young tree sprouting in the middle of a path. He places rocks all around the tree to protect it from people traveling along this dusty pathway. As the path becomes a busier track, then a street and eventually a busy road, travelers begin yelling, “Out of the way, out of the way.” As time passes and the young boy becomes a man and the tree grows into a beautiful shady rest spot, a whole new appreciation for the tree develops, as it becomes a place of beauty. This author/illustrator team (yes! two different people with almost the same name) work together to create a story that gets busier and busier over the course of the text. The illustrations become more densely populated with people and activity as the tree continues to grow. Readers will have to look closely to see the passage of time as the little boy becomes a man while the story flows from page to page. This thought-provoking story presents a theme to celebrate progress as well as taking time to enjoy the moment … and the tree. Teachers will appreciate the activity kit and book trailer provided by the author/illustrator team found at the author’s website.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Ravishankar, Anushka. (2012). The rumor.  Illus. by Kanyika Kini. Toronto: Tundra Books.

A grumpy fruit seller named Pandurang lives in the Indian village of Baddbaddpur. He is such a grouchy old man that no one really wants to be around him. One day, he coughs up a feather. He tells his wife about this unusual incident and asks her not to tell anyone. Since Pandu’s wife loves a little gossip, she tells her neighbor about the feather; the neighbor, in turn, tells another neighbor, who tells a friend, thus, spreading the feather story throughout the small village. However, each time the tale is told, details in the story change, and the feather gets bigger and bigger until eventually the story being told is that whole trees and birds’ nests are growing out of Pandurang’s mouth. The jewel-toned illustrations add even more humor to the story as Pandu’s face gets bigger and bigger throughout the book. When the story gets back to him, a very strange thing happens. He laughs out loud! Teachers may want to pair this book to with Pass It On by Marilyn Sadler as well as trying out the online Telephone Game activities. 

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Schmidt, Gary D. (2012).  Martín de Porres: The rose in the desert. Illus. by David Diaz.  New York: Clarion Books.

Born in Lima, Peru in 1579 to the mother of an African slave and a Spanish nobleman, Martín de Porres faced poverty and endured prejudices due to his biracial identity. His mother wanted him to enter the priesthood, but because of his mixed blood he could not. Instead, he offered his services to the monastery where his talents as a healer became well known. Soon his ability to enact miracles made him famous and allowed him to finally be confirmed into the Dominican Order. Eventually, others came to consider him as “the rose in the desert” because of his many acts of kindness toward the poor and suffering. In 1962 he was canonized as the first black saint in the Americas. The beautifully colored illustrations provide an appealing backdrop for this patron saint of interracial justice while the text tells a truly remarkable and little-known story. For a short video and a more detailed look at the life of de Porres, check out the Catholic Church’s biographical background on their website. 

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

GRADES 4-5

Coury, Tina Nichols. (2012). Hanging off Jefferson’s nose: Growing up on Mount Rushmore. Illus. by Sally Wern Comport. New York: Dial. 

Imagine envisioning a sculpture that would take 14 years and countless hours of blasting and carving to complete. This title provides interesting background on how Mount Rushmore emerged from the creative imaginings of Danish-American sculptor Gutzon Borglum to become an enormous rocky tribute to four American presidents. Although Borglum initiated the blasting and carving into the side of a mountain required by the project, he did not live to see its conclusion. When he died, his twenty-nine-year-old son, Lincoln, who had learned how to perform many of the jobs associated with the project, completed the massive project. The book contains fascinating details about how the faces were created from the rocky surface as well as how the crew rigged 500 steps to the mountain’s summit. The illustrations heighten reader interest, showing how the mountain and the presidential profiles dwarf the men climbing around them. Young readers are certain to wonder exactly how often those Presidential visages require a touch-up due to the effects of weather.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Harris, Randal. (2012). Tua and the elephant. Illus. by Taeeun Yoo. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. 

Tua often spends her evenings visiting the market near her Thailand home. Everyone greets her in a friendly fashion, sharing food and conversation, and becoming a part of her daily routine. One night, though, Tua stumbles upon a young elephant being abused by two men, Nang and Nak, who most likely stole the creature in the first place. The girl and the elephant bond immediately, and she knows that despite the consequences, she cannot leave it behind. She rescues the pachyderm, brings it home, and christens it Pohn-Pohn. Together, the two set off for an elephant refuge where Pohn-Pohn can live in peace. Along the way, they encounter all sorts of individuals willing to help them avoid the clutches of the men from whom Tua has taken Pohn-Pohn. The book offers glimpses into Tua's way of life as well as showing how men such as Nang and Nak try to take advantage of the country's natural resources, tourists and poor citizens. There are poignant scenes, of course, but there are also scenes filled with humor as Tua continually outwits the former owners of her new friend. Although the conflict about how Tua can keep her promise never to leave Pohn-Pohn while continuing her schooling is resolved rather neatly, the story leaves readers smiling because there are good people similar to those who rally around Tua in the world.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Hiranandani, Veera. (2012). The whole story of half a girl.  New York: Delacorte Press.

Sixth grader Sonia Nadhamuni has a mixed heritage with a Jewish mother and a Hindi father from India. Sonia has attended private school until now when her father loses his job. Public school is not an easy transition as other students question her mixed background by asking questions for which she does not always have answers. Struggling to find the group of friends where she fits best, Sonia waivers between the cheerleaders and the in crowd versus a friend who is not part of this group but whose ideals and sensitivities are more akin to her own. Additionally, her family life is falling apart as her father sinks into a depression and at one point even disappears. While looking for her father, Sonia searches within herself to discover who she really is. Sprinkled with humor and realistic characters and dialogue, the book is sure to appeal to readers who will like Sonia and appreciate the way she thinks through decisions about how to cope with her life. Teachers may want to visit the author’s blog for more background on this debut author for middle grade readers.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Patent, Dorothy Henshaw. (2012). The horse and the Plains Indians: A powerful partnership. Illus. by William Munoz. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Filled with colorful modern photographs and archived photographs and artwork, this nonfiction title traces the bond between Native Americans and horses, a strong connection that continues even today. Not surprisingly, the Spaniards who brought horses to North and Central America were reluctant to allow the indigenous peoples they enslaved and mistreated to own or ride horses; nevertheless, they quickly saw how useful horses could be. The author describes how some First Nation peoples abandoned dogs as conveyors of their possessions once they realized how much more efficient horses were for those purposes. She does not stint in describing how the intrusion of white men and women on the Native American’s territory spelled disaster for their way of life.  As whites moved ever westward, snapping up the land, in some cases, all of the horses belonging to a tribe were destroyed in an attempt to force the members to become more agrarian. The descriptions and images of gear used with horses are quite interesting and insightful. Although fascinating, this book is also heart-breaking in its descriptions of the mistakes that were made and the unfair treatment of so many members of this horse-loving population.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Steckel, Richard. (2012). Faith: Five religions and what they share. Photos by Michele Steckel. Toronto, Canada: Kids Can Press.

What is faith? This new picture book explains, “Faith is what is in our hearts and minds. Faith is when you trust something you cannot see or touch, but you believe it exists. Faith helps us feel peaceful and secure” (p. 4). Five of the world’s most widely practiced religions--Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism--are explored in depth in the book’s pages. Each of these religions has its own special stories, beliefs, spiritual leaders, sacred texts, clothing, symbols, place of worship and rituals. Children will notice that there are common links between each religion and that faith connects us rather than divides us. In addition, there are extension activities suggested throughout the book. For example, on the pages where prayer is discussed, children are given a challenge to “Think of something in your life that has particular meaning for you and create your own prayer” (p. 31). The back matter contains ideas for parents and teachers to promote tolerance and understanding. If we learn about other religions, respect can replace intolerance. 

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver 

GRADES 6-7

Ellis, Deborah. (2012). Kids of Kabul: Living bravely through a never-ending war. Toronto: Groundwood Books. 

Afghanistan has been at war for decades, affecting the Afghan people on many levels. The country’s vulnerable portion of the population, women and children, has been affected in unexpected ways. Millions of Afghans have died, been injured, maimed, displaced and terrorized during the years of war. For this book, Deborah Ellis interviewed two dozen Afghan children who talk honestly about their lives. Each vignette begins with an introduction that includes some background information and an accompanying photograph of the interviewees and their homeland. Most of the interviews took place in homes, community centers or schools. These heartbreaking stories discuss how this never-ending war has caused poverty, child labor, abuse, addiction, death and illiteracy. Nevertheless, every child interviewed retains hope that Afghanistan will survive and that their generation will be the one to create change for their family and country. In addition to the often heart-rending yet hopeful stories, the book contains a glossary and a list of organizations and books to gain further information. 

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

Engle, Margarita. (2012). The wild book. New York: Harcourt Children’s Books.

Once again author Margarita Engle draws on her Cuban heritage for a story about her grandmother at the turn of the century. Unable to learn how to read, her grandmother, Josefa, called Fefa, was diagnosed with “word blindness,” what we would call dyslexia today. As she struggles with this disability, her mother gives her a blank notebook where she can sketch images and jot letters or words. This gift becomes her wild book. Fefa’s mother loves words, especially poetry, and she tells Fefa to “Throw wildflower seeds/ all over each page” (p. 6). Offering hope to her daughter, she encourages her to “Let the words sprout/ like seedlings,/ then relax and watch/ as your wild diary grows” (p. 6). Fefa eventually learns to make sense of the letters that comprise words, a precursor to the ability to read, which comes a bit later. This spare novel in verse is set at a time in Cuban history where bandits roam the countryside and kidnap children for ransom. When one of those bandits gets a little too close, a poem saves Fefa and her family.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

House, Silas and Neela Vaswani. (2012). Same sun here.  Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Two authors each take on the voice of a different character through letters as pen pals; one is Meena, a recent immigrant from India to Manhattan, and the other is River, a young boy from Kentucky who is part Irish and a little bit Cherokee. As the two become friends through their letters, they learn that despite their seemingly vastly different backgrounds, they have much in common. Both live in poverty; both have a deep affection for their grandmothers; both grandmothers share a love of nature and the environment; both have fathers who work far away, and both have mothers who are having difficulty coping with challenging situations. As Meena and River communicate and help each other through some of the tragedies that come their way, they become closer with each letter, eventually becoming each other’s best friend as they ponder everything from politics to environment to family and life styles. Teachers can find a discussion guide on the Candlewick website. 

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Marsden, Carolyn. (2012). The white zone. Minneapolis: Lerner/Carolrhoda Books

War can make even the best of friends into enemies, and in the case of cousins Nouri and Talib who live in Baghdad in 2007 amid warfare, the conflict escalates quickly to unexpected levels. American troops patrol the city's streets, and strife between two religious sects, the Sunnis and the Shiites is disrupting any peaceful moments the city's residents manage to find. Nouri, a Shiite, blames his cousin, Talib, who is half Sunni, for the death of his uncle. At first, he internalizes his anger but eventually he shuns Talib and offers him only tiny amounts of food at family gatherings. Eventually, though, Nouri and his friends mount an intimidation campaign and throw a rock through the family's window. The book traces the hatred that grows and dissipates on the parts of both boys, once friends, that is only dispelled during an unprecedented snow storm. The author's sure-handed treatment of the boys’ vacillation between hatred and forgiveness make it clear that some actions are difficult to forgive. Both boys move quickly from being upset about a loss in the family to looking for someone to blame. The back matter describing the snowfall that temporarily eased tension between the two sides added to the story’s appeal, illustrating vividly the consequences of war, violence, and hatred on children as well as adults.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Rosenthal, Betsy R. (2012). Looking for me. New York: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children.

Eleven-year-old Edith Paul often wonders if there is any place for her among a family with 12 children. Most of the housework and caregiving falls on her. When her teacher asks the class to write poems about their families, she is annoyed at first because she will need to write a lot more than her classmates because of her family’s size. This novel in verse, based on the growing up experiences of the author's own mother whose mother emigrated from Russia, highlights the tension between a family’s economic survival dependent on child workers and the importance of education. It also touches on prejudices toward Jews, Anglicizing the family name, bullying in school, and an unexpected death that leaves Edith thinking her family is not large enough, after all. Despite her father's lack of empathy for her goals, Edith eventually finds a way to reach her goals, thanks to support from an unlikely source. The book’s somber moments are offset by descriptions of hijinks such as the peanut butter bullet battle between the boys and the girls that leads to a ban on peanut butter in the house. Back matter includes family photographs, a glossary, and a nod to the author's relatives for their storytelling. This is an appealing story from a new voice with something important to say about finding one's way.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

GRADES 8-12

McCormick, Patricia. (2012). Never fall down: A novel. New York: Balzer + Bray.

Eleven-year old Arn Chorn-Pond’s village is overcome with soldiers who march everyone into the country. In this story based on actual events in Cambodia, Arn is separated from his family and soon learns that he and the other children are to be used as slave labor. Survival is tough on many fronts including the constant hunger since the prisoners are given only a handful of rice to eat each day. One day the soldiers ask if anyone can play an instrument. Although he cannot play an instrument, Arn, immediately volunteers and becomes a quick study as he sees this as an opportunity to survive one of the worst genocides of the twentieth century, The Killing Fields of the Khmer Rouge regime. As the war continues, Arn is forced to give up his flute, start carrying a gun and become an actual soldier. Somehow, he survives and eventually makes his way to the United States where he is able to tell his story. Readers may be interested in listening to this NPR interview with McCormick, a National Book Award finalist, about the book. Reading the book almost guarantees curiosity and a desire to learn more about Arn Chorn-Pond. A good starting place with a video can be found at Facing History. Also, read Reading Today's interview with McCormick. 

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Depending on your point of view, 2012 is almost half over—or just about halfway getting started. Whatever your perspective on June, the end of the month marks the middle point of the year, making it the perfect place to set your own reading goals and then get started on them. Some websites such as Goodreads.com feature the 2012 Reading Challenge through which you can decide how many books you want to read in a year and then track how close you are to reaching your goal. If your friends get involved, you can even support each other while trying to meet the expectations you have set for yourselves. Sometimes all it takes is a little nudge to start reading for pleasure again. Then again, you might want to hone your read aloud skills with some new shorter texts. Whatever your goals, to help you in making some reading choices for your to-read pile and insure that you don’t experience any reading slump during the summer, members of the International Reading Association Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) offer their thoughts on some recent titles that captivated them this year.

GRADES K-3

Coombs, Kate. (2012). Water sings blue: Ocean poems. Illus. by Meilo So. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.

Many folks are often drawn to the ocean during summer vacation season, and this themed poetry book of 23 poems is a nice complement to the season. The short poems vary rhyme and rhythmic patterns alongside illustrations that enhance each poem, making this great reading for individual readers or for reading aloud. From whales to shipwrecks, jellyfish to sea turtles, waves to ebbing tides, this poetic and beautiful ode to the ocean is a real pearl in the oyster. Teachers might enjoy pairing the lesson “Slippery as an Eel: An Ocean Unit Exploring Simile and Metaphor” with these engaging poems. The lesson can be found at ReadWriteThink at www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/slippery-ocean-unit-exploring-832.html.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Judge, Lita. (2012). Bird talk: What birds are saying and why. New York: Roaring Brook Press.

As young readers leaf through this book, not only will enjoy beautiful pictures but they will learn a great deal about birds. Who has not stopped to listen to a bird singing without realizing exactly what message the bird was communicating? Judge, whose grandparents were ornithologists, has given young readers an inside look at what birds are “saying” through their chirps, cheeps and caws in addition to explaining the significance of their movements from preening to swooping as they greet, woo or communicate danger to other birds. Over 28 avian species are introduced to young readers with additional information about each bird and habitats at the back. The author’s website offers even more information at www.litajudge.com/BirdTalk.html. 

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Lane, Adam J.B. (2012). Stop thief! New York: A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Brook Press.

One evening after dinner a little boy, Randall McCoy, stands up and declares that he is a big boy now. This is news to his parents who ask if he will continue to need a booster seat or a kiss good night anymore. Randall says, “No, thank you.” He even thinks he is too old for Mr. Pigglesworth, his favorite stuffed pig, and puts him on a high shelf for safe keeping. Later that night, Randall can’t fall asleep. When he silently creeps down the stairs to retrieve Mr. Pigglesworth, he discovers a burglar stealing his pig. Randal screams, “Stop thief!” but the robber slips out a window. Thus begins a long chase all around town with Randall trying to catch the burglar. They run through the zoo, Wunda Chocolate Company, a Museum and a fair. Children will love following the yellow dotted lines with their fingers and reading aloud Randall’s continuous cry of “Stop Thief!” Eventually the robber doesn’t realize where he is headed, resulting in a hilarious ending. Children will beg to hear this story again and again in part because of the comic-like features in the illustrations. 

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

Roop, Connie & Peter. (2012). Baby whale’s long swim. New York: Sterling Children’s Books.

This nonfiction paperback is part of the American Museum of Natural History Easy Readers Series. Through beautiful photographs beginning readers will learn about a baby gray whale’s life. He swims alongside his mother so that he can drink her milk. Later, the mother pushes her calf to the top of the water so that he can breathe. The text compares the baby’s blowhole to the nostrils of humans. When it is spring the mother and son travel to Alaska where there is food. A map shows the gray whale’s journey. The family travels with a pod, and just as is the case with human children, the calf gets tired of swimming all day and sometimes must rest against his mother.  Eventually mother and son make it to Alaska where they catch tiny plants and animals in their mouths.  Different vocabulary words such as breaching, splash, roll, and wave are introduced throughout the text. 

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver 

Sutton, Sally. (2012). Demolition.  Illus. by Brian Lovelock. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Preschoolers, kindergarteners, and other truck-obsessed readers will love this new look at what big machines and a wrecking ball can do. Big sounds and big trucks are readied as men and women workers put on their hard-hats as the wrecking ball begins to swing. This book goes a step further to give children an ecological look at what to do with the building debris once the trucks have completed their demolition. As the piles are sorted and recycling decisions are mad, readers may notice how building materials are reusable. A special treat waits at the end when a playground is built on the very spot where the building was demolished. Teachers may want to pair this title with Eve Merriam’s Bam Bam Bam (1998) and explore the sounds of demolition through onomatopoeia. Both books could make for a very fun, and LOUD, choral or response reading.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Wardlaw, Lee. (2012). Red, white, and boom! Illus. by Huy Voun Lee. New York: Henry Holt and Company. 

Celebrations of the nation’s birthday will begin shortly, making this a perfect read aloud to commemorate the holiday. In simple rhyming verse the picture book begins with a parade marching through town, “Bugles call / Marchers tall.” Everyone is dressed in red, white and blue and waving patriotic flags. In the afternoon families fly kites, eat picnics or splash in the waves. Cut-paper collage illustrations show, “Melon grins / Juicy chins.”  In the evening the night sky lights up with, “Peacock plume / Sunburst bloom / Star flakes spill / Heart-thump thrill.”  Firecrackers burst with the colors of red and white and the sounds of boom while spectators exclaim with oohs and ahhs. Slowly, the children’s eyes close, and it is time for bed. The fun-packed holiday finally comes to a quiet close. 

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

GRADES 4-6

Applegate, Katherine. (2012). The one and only Ivan. Illus. by Patricia Castelao.  New York: Harper.

Summer is a great time to visit the zoo where children often have favorite animals to view. This story, based on a real silverback gorilla, is a heart-wrenching tale of friendship between two animals. It might give children a new way to look at animals in captivity. For 27 years, Ivan has lived in his small cage at The Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. Before his elephant friend Stella passes away from neglect, she begs a promise from Ivan to help the new baby elephant, Ruby, escape so she won’t have to endure a life of imprisonment. Ivan makes good on that promise, and with the help of a few other friends such as Bob the stray dog and Julia the custodian’s daughter, he orchestrates their escape. This story was inspired by the true-life story of the real Ivan who now lives in Zoo Atlanta. Readers are sure to enjoy checking out the website devoted to this book and also learn about “the real Ivan” at http://theoneandonlyivan.com.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Bell, Juliet. (2102). Kepler’s dream.  New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons.

Spending part of summer vacation with a relative or grandparent is not an unusual occurrence, but it can be if you are from a divorced family and have never met the grandmother you are visiting. Ella considers it “Broken Family Camp.” Her mother is going to receive chemotherapy treatment for leukemia, which means Ella must spend the summer in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Upon her arrival at the sprawling adobe hacienda, Ella calls it the House of Mud. Her grandmother’s prim and proper ways, especially when it comes to grammar, in addition to the pride she has in her extensive book collection, make life difficult for Ella at first. As she gets to know her grandmother and becomes friends with a neighbor girl, life appears to get better, although her mother’s health is always in her thoughts. During Ella’s visit, the most valuable book in her grandmother’s library collection disappears. Ella finds out that her grandfather was an astronomer and the missing book, Kepler’s Dream, causes her grandmother much anguish because she cherished that book as a remembrance of her husband. Ella sets out to recover the missing book. While tracking down this mystery, Ella uncovers much about her own family history. This is the author’s debut children’s novel. She writes books for adults as Sylvia Brownrigg. Readers may want to explore her website at http://julietbell.com and view the book trailer. They can also listen to the author discuss Kepler’s Dream in a podcast on West Coast Live at www.wcl.org/podcast-list.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Jenkins, Steve. (2012). The beetle book. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. 

Summer brings out the bug collectors in kids who use anything from butterfly nets to jars with holes in the lids to capture them. As he has done previously in his earlier books Actual Size, Move, Living Color, Life on Earth, among others Steve Jenkins creates detailed cut-paper illustrations so that readers can see his subjects up close. His latest work delves into the vast world of beetles, beginning with the incredible fact that every fourth living thing is a beetle. Scientists have named over 350,000 beetles to date and believe there are even more yet to be identified. Jenkins has presented dozens of beetles and accompanying information. His black silhouette illustrations often show the actual size. Facts about numerous species, habitats, physiology and unusual characteristics coupled with beautifully detailed illustrations make this a bug-lovers’ delight. Youngsters might want to try writing some buggy poetry from a lesson at ReadWriteThink: http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/multipurpose-poetry-introducing-science-69.html. Curious readers can learn more about this author on The 7 Impossible Things before Breakfast blog: http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=1112 or visit the author’s website at: www.stevejenkinsbooks.com. 

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

GRADES 9-12

Fogelin, Adrian. (2012). Summer on the Moon. Atlanta: Peachtree Publishers. 

Although the mean streets of his urban apartment complex are tough to navigate, eighth grader Socrates (known as Socko to his friends) has mixed feelings when his family leaves them behind. If his hard-working mother agrees to take care of Socko’s curmudgeonly great-grandfather from whom she has been estranged, he will buy them a house in a new housing development. Although he knows the move to Moon Ridge Estates during the summer will keep him safe from his old neighborhood’s gang violence, Socko worries about leaving behind his friend Damien. Although the family has problems working out their issues at first, eventually Socko and his great-grandfather become closer, even while swallowing their disappointment that no one else seems to live in the housing development. Things improve when Livvie, the developer's daughter, moves in with her family, too, and then other, down-on-their-luck folks arrive to save the development. Meanwhile, Damien seemingly has made his own choices and has thrown in his lot with Rapp, the leader of the neighborhood street gang. Or has he? Filled with humor, hope and reminders that there are caring folks around us and seeds sure to grow with a little nourishment, the novel asks hard questions about surviving against obstacles while offering glimpses of a brighter future for many of the characters. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Moon, Sarah (Ed.). (2012). The letter q: Queer writers’ notes to their younger selves. New York: Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Books. 

Although books featuring gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered teens are much more frequent than they were 20 years ago, coming of age today is still difficult when others perceive you as being different from the norm. In this advice-filled title, sixty-four authors and illustrators craft letters to their younger selves, providing inspiration and insight. In a sort of "If I'd known then what I know now" fashion, the brief entries provide peeks into the contributors’ lives as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered individuals. All of the pieces are reminders that life improves after high school, and many provide perspectives across the decades. While some of the entries such as Paige Braddock’s are filled with humor, others such as Mayra Lazara Dole’s describe heartbreaking periods of isolation and bullying. Brian Selznick responds to a letter he wrote to his future self when he was 13, and Arthur A. Levine describes the different prejudices he faced when he was junior high. Reminding readers that the line between the bully and the person being bullied is thin, one author, David Levithan, even owns up to owing an apology to his science teacher. In the book’s concluding letter, David Ebershoff relates how he burned the gay-themed books he read one summer in order to keep his sexual identity a secret. Although some of the authors who write for adults will be unfamiliar to teen readers, they’ll recognize other literary friends. This is a wonderful collection of advice shared through text and drawings, not just for the queer or questioning teens in our lives, but for all of us to read, share, and ponder the infinite variety of humans and the nature of love and resilience. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Ritter, John. (2012). Fenway fever. New York: Philomel. 

Baseball fans and those who root for the underdog will love this book, perfect for a summer’s day.  The plot revolves around Stats Pagano, born with a heart defect, and his Boston family, all rabid Boston Red Sox fans. The family has had season tickets to the Red Sox games for 72 years, and they run a concession stand, selling hot dogs at the games. The team heads into a losing streak, and Stats's favorite baseball player, pitcher Billee Orbitt, is removed from the team’s roster for a brief time. Billee and Stats figure that too much is going wrong for it to be a coincidence. Certain that the harmony of Fenway Park has been disrupted, the two take steps to put things back into the proper order so that the Sox will win again. After all, if the baseball team isn’t winning, nothing in Stats's world can be right. Call them coincidences or call them miracles, but things suddenly start turning around for Billee and the Sox and even for Stats. Love for the sport dubbed “America’s pastime” fills the book’s pages, reminding readers what the game of baseball is really all about. With its moments of pathos, heroism, mysticism, and wonder from a master craftsman, this seamlessly-written book will make readers believe in all sorts of miracles and maybe prompt a trip to the ballpark. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Saldin, Erin. (2012). The girls of No Return. New York: Scholastic. 

Troubled sixteen-year-old Lida has been sent to a reform school in the wilderness of the northern portion of Idaho, far from civilization. The school is filled with strange adults and even stranger girls with histories of violence. As Lida adjusts to the school’s rules, she realizes that some of the girls are more troubled than others. Before she knows it, Lida is caught in the middle of a conflict between Boone, the school's teen queen and resident bad girl, and Gia, the beautiful but mysterious new girl to whom the other girls flock. Lida desperately wants Gia’s approval while being fearful of Boone. When Boone shares a secret with Lida, she inadvertently reveals the secret to Gia. The consequences of that one betrayal lead to a series of betrayals and ultimately to unexpected violence. The author turns readers' expectations around cleverly, gradually revealing truths about each of the girls and their choices as they test themselves in the rustic setting and prepare to return to the real world. As is often the case in situations such as this one, there are many lies and secrets as well as recognition of uncomfortable truths played out against the austere beauty of rural Idaho. The author describes the setting vividly while forcing readers to ask difficult questions about Lida’s actions. Clearly, the need for love and acceptance may lead to unspeakable—and perhaps unforgivable—actions. Readers will eagerly turn the book’s pages to find out what happened to Lida during her journey of self-discovery. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

From a quiet smile to a laugh out loud guffaw, who doesn’t like to laugh? Sometimes laughter means surprise. It is often said  “laughter is the best medicine.” Laughter makes us feel good. Interestingly, from HowStuffWorks 2, “Laughter is actually a complex response that involves many of the same skills used in solving problems.” This month’s column from the International Reading Association's Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) is about humor. Kids love funny books so this list is designed to help teachers find some new laughs for their classrooms. In addition, watch for Last Laughs; animal epitaphs (Charlesbridge 2012) coming in July by Children’s Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis and Jane Yolen for more smiles. Teachers may also want to add to their professional collections for background on some of the great children’s humor authors, Funny Business; Conversations with Writers of Comedy (Candlewick, 2009) by Leonard S. Marcus.

Teachers will enjoy the ReadWriteThink podcast of “Tickle Your Funnybone” or for older students, looking for the humor in newspaper articles through the eyes of Erma Bombeck. 

GRADES K-3

Buzzeo, Toni. (2012) One Cool Friend.  Pictures by David Small. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. 

Elliot’s somewhat eccentric, green plaid suit wearing father invites him to Family Fun Day at the aquarium. Prim and proper Elliot is actually not enthusiastic about going but agrees to accompany his father and politely says “thank you for inviting me.”  In trying to escape the crowds, Elliot discovers the penguins and is immediately impressed with their black tuxedo look and their proper postures. Totally taken in by the penguins, Elliot asks his father if he can have one to take home. Oblivious to what Elliot is really asking, father agrees. So hidden away in Elliot’s backpack is the newly acquired penguin he names Magellan. Once they get home, the fun begins as Elliot turns their mansion of a house into a home for a penguin, including lying around on bags of ice, flipping goldfish crackers into his mouth, skating on the ice rink Elliot makes in one of the bedrooms with the air conditioner and a water hose. Follow David Small’s use of white and blue to create an Arctic-like color palette for background. The reader will be glued (“frozen?”) to the illustrations, creative layout and typography as the penguins’ antics unfold living in a real house. For a reader’s theater script and curriculum and activity kit, visit the author’s website: A sly little way to incorporate some library research waits!

- Karen Hildebrand, Library and Reading Consultant

Going, K. L. (2012). Dog in charge. Illus. by Dan Santat. New York: Dial. 

As do most canines, Dog savors his family’s words of praise whenever he does something good. Plus, the dog treats they use as rewards are mighty savory themselves. But everything falls apart when he is left in charge while his human family goes to the store. As he makes plans for the family’s five cats to sit and stay where they are, lined up sedately on the couch until the door closes, he causes havoc, startling the felines and making quite a mess. When he drags out their cat treats as an enticement, he ends up eating them and falls asleep in exhaustion.  His feline friends save the day by cleaning up everything. Pet lovers will adore this story since its creators clearly draw from their own experiences with the mischievous habits of felines and canines, especially when their human companions are away. The cartoon-like illustrations of cats lapping up milk, looking in mirrors, leaping from clothes hampers, knocking over flowerpots, and then curling up next to dog are delightful. Despite his best efforts, it isn’t Dog that is in charge of anything. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Jeffers, Oliver. (2012). The Hueys in The New Sweater. New York: Philomel. 

Apparently cast from the same mold, not only do all the Hueys look the same, but they sound and act just alike. When Rubert show a little free thinking by knitting and wearing a bright orange sweater, he stands out from the others. Although most of the other Hueys criticize him for being different, another Huey, Gillespie joins him, starting a trend. All of a sudden, orange sweaters are cool, and Rupert comes up with another idea in order to show his originality. The pencil illustrations bring the book's simple message about daring to be a little bit different home. The text and illustrations contain subtle aspects that show the herd-like thinking of the Hueys; for instance, several scenes show one Huey using a microphone to keep them all in line while praising their sameness. Not only is it healthy to embrace one’s uniqueness, but it can be fun to baffle others about what come next. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Mack, Jeff. (2012). Good news bad news. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. 

Bunny and Mouse are two friends with very different perspectives on life, and their attitudes are evident on a picnic they take. Ever the optimist, Bunny tends to see the bright side of life while the pessimistic Mouse sees only the bad in situations. For Bunny, things will keep getting better, and for Mouse, they will only get worse. The author only uses four words ("Good news! Bad news!") in the story, but he uses those four words quite effectively. In the end, Mouse frightens Bunny so badly that the two friends will have to switch roles, and he will have to bring good news to Bunny. The clever use of simple words, the book’s characters, which will remind readers of individuals they know, and the mixed media illustrations all combine for a fun-filled read. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Macleod, Mark. (2012). Wrong way. Illus. by Judieth Rossell. Tulsa, OK: Kane Miller. 

A little duckling, named Wrong Way, likes to do things differently from his mother and siblings. For example, he sometimes forgets to listen or pay attention when his mother is talking. No child would ever do this—right? This is a perfect read aloud for young children because they will smile and giggle as they hear about little ducks antics. Mother duck decides to teach her ducklings how to swim. All of her other children flip-flop along behind her in a nice straight line, but not Wrong Way. He sits down in the middle of the path and says he wants to be carried. Later Wrong Way detours into the bushes for a big juicy snail and then stops to play in a puddle. Finally, at the pond the mother gives a quick swimming lesson and the ducklings paddle away, except for Wrong Way. He quacks, flaps, summersaults and splashes into the water. Some ducklings (and kids) just do things differently! 

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

Sadler, Marilyn. (2012) Pass it on! Illustrations by Michael Slack. Blue Apple. 

When Cow gets stuck in a fence and calls for help, Bee is quick to help and spreads the word that Cow is in trouble. From Bee to frog to kitten and mouse and more, somehow the message gets mangled and a totally different concept is getting spread around the barnyard. Illustrations and speech bubbles add to the urgency but continue to spread the misinformation. Reading this book aloud is sure to bring laughs and have kids begging to play the “telephone” game. Or teachers can get their electronic white boards ready and use with the interactive The Telephone Game at Reading is Fundamental. In addition, there is an app for that.

- Karen Hildebrand, Library and Reading Consultant

Sauer, Tammi. (2012). Bawk and roll. Illus. by Dan Santat. Toronto, Canada. Sterling Publishing.

Two hens, Marge and Lola, are touring with superstar singer Elvis Poultry as dancers. At their first concert when the lights go down and the curtains go up the two hens tremble and wiggle their wattles. They have never seen such a large crowd and they faint from fear. Later Elvis tells them the next gig will be better, “Just chill, chicks.” Marge and Lola decide to picture the crowd in their underwear, but unfortunately the next shows are the same and the chicken dancers chicken out. The hens try different things to calm their jitters from knitting to meditating to painting. Elvis tells them that if they can’t rock, he is going solo. The bewildered chickens aren’t sure what is wrong until some familiar friends attend one of their concerts. Having a fan club in the audience helps them face the barnyard crowd. Children will definitely be able to relate to how these two hens feel. The colorful illustrations and the chicken talk will give everyone something to talk about too.

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

Stoeke, Janet Morgan. (2012). Pip’s trip. New York: Dial. 

In another installment of the Loopy Coop Hens series, the hens, especially Pip, long for adventure and to see what the rest of the world is like. When they notice a red truck in the yard, Pip bravely climbs aboard, but the others make excuses for why they can’t join her.  Pip’s courage deserts her, and despite her yearning for adventure, she, too, grows frightened by the truck's noisy engine, and hides under a blanket in the truck bed until the noise stops. Exhausted from the trip, Pip steps down once the engine is silent and regales the other hens with her experiences. However, although Pip has had an adventure, it's not quite the one she imagined since the truck never went anywhere. The simple text and brightly hued illustrations portray barnyard animal fun along with a hint of wisdom about the adventures that lie in everyone’s backyard. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Tricarico, Christine. (2012). Cock-A-doodle dance! Illus. by Rich Deas. New York: Feiwel and Friends/ Macmillan. 

At a gloomy, grouchy farm in Texas the animals work overtime and life has lost its charm. Another words it is “Cock-a-Doodle DULL!” One day the rooster begins to jitterbug, shimmy and scream, “Cock-a-Doodle DANCE!” And that is exactly what the barn animals do. The milking cows, chickens, pigs and goats doodle-dance round the clock. They pivot, pounce and prance, neglecting their farm work. Eventually the animals come to their senses because the chickens’ eggs are scrambled and the cattles’ buttermilk is curdled. The rooster makes the decision that the farm animals must complete their barnyard jobs during the day and wait to doodle-dance at dusk. Throughout the picture book the dance vocabulary words are highlighted in color and bold lettering. The end pages contain the definitions of each dance term from polka to hula. This book will certainly get children jumping the jitterbug or skipping the two-step. 

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

GRADES 3-6 

Fleischman, Paul. (2012)  The Dunderheads behind bars.  Illustrated by David Roberts. Candlewick Press.

Start your summer with this new Dunderheads (2009) adventure and sequel. School is out and the Dunderheads think they are finished with their evil teacher Miss Breakbone … but not to be! Not only have the kids signed up to be extras on a movie being filmed in their town, but also so has Miss Breakbone. Ugh! Meanwhile, a cat burglar has been breaking into houses in the neighborhood and when a particular necklace turns up missing, Miss Breakbone accuses Spider of the theft because of his amazing climbing skills. Convincing her brother, the police chief no less, that Spider is capable of this crime, he is thrown in jail. Einstein and the kids create a plot to get him out. The narrator of the story, as before, is Einstein. Fleishman has named his characters after their unique skill sets: Clips, Wheels, Spitball, Junkyard, Spider and Einstein. Roberts’s watercolor and pen and ink illustrations add to the humor of these characters. When they try to create a way to get him out that involves all of their special skills, it fails. Plan B, however works and the fun begins anew. Keep up with this Newbery award-winning author at www.paulfleischman.net. 

- Karen Hildebrand, Library and Reading Consultant


Foley, Lizzie. (2012)  Remarkable.  New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.

A remarkable new book from debut author Lizzie Foley about ten-year old Jane Doe from the town of Remarkable where everyone is gifted or extraordinary in some way … except Jane. She is the only child in town who does not attend the School for the Remarkably Gifted until the raucous Grimlet twins enroll after being expelled from the Gifted School. Now add in some very interesting characters who have come to town like the pirates Rojo Herring, Jeb, Ebb and Flotsam or other colorful locals like Mrs.Belphonia-Champlain and her dog Asta Magnifica or the psychic pizza maker and the lake monster (cousin to the Loch Ness monster?). The adventure begins when the composer for the bell tower goes missing, in addition to the ropes for the bells. Lots of crazy characters create the laughter in this whimsical town of talents. Only Jane’s grandfather, John Doe, helps her bring it all into focus and reveals a secret that helps Jane feel good about herself and her town. Get to know this new author at her website: www.lizziekfoley.com.

- Karen Hildebrand, Library and Reading Consultant

McKay, Hilary. (2012). Caddy’s world. New York: Simon & Schuster/McElderry Books.

In the sixth title in this series about the Casson family, Caddy and her siblings try their father’s patience while their mother is in the hospital with a new baby born prematurely. She has a penchant for naming her children after colors since she has an artistic eye, but this baby has no name yet since it may not survive. Twelve-year-old Caddy and her younger siblings Saffy and Indigo do their best to keep things running smoothly at home, but things are a mess. Their father is clueless about how to handle them for any extended amount of time, and their decision to bury their stuffed bear in the backyard graveyard results in poor Dad having to search for the animal in the middle of the night when they change their minds. Amid all the family mishaps, Caddy's world is shaken to the core, both because of the baby and because her three best friends are changing. Although there are heartbreaking passages concerning Beth's food restriction and use of the so-called “Norman diet” to stay small enough to ride her pony, there are also amusing ones that describe her gorging on Mars bars, candy that makes her sick. Handsome but careless Dingbat, the class Lothario, provides comic relief as he dates three of the girls at the same time and breaks up with them through a messenger. This book is balm for wounded hearts while providing hilarious examples of the imperfections of other families.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Reich, Suzanna. (2012). Minette’s feast: The delicious story of Julia Child and her cat. Illus. by Amy Bates. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers. 

This yummy and hilarious introduction to chef, Julia Child focuses on her cat, Minette. Despite the fact that Minette could smell and taste all the dishes Julia tried out when she lived in France, the feline preferred mice over most of Julia’s early culinary efforts. Minette's antics and personality are amusing, her preference for mice over many of Julia's creations. The author's use of Julia's actual words, including some French, adds to the story's flavor. Minette finally comes to appreciate Julia’s cooking after waiting days for a taste. So much does she relish the treat that she even rolls all over the leftover bone. The pencil and watercolor illustrations are quite appealing as are the savory words the author uses to describe Julia's transition from ordinary cook to an extraordinary one. Readers can learn about the interesting lives of Julia and her husband Paul in the back matter. An Author's Note explains how the author crafted this story of such an unusual woman. Filled with descriptions of Paris and "delicious smells of mayonnaise, hollandaise, cassoulets, cheese souffles, and duck pates wafting from the pots and pans" (unpaged), this is a delectable, amusing, and cleverly written book. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Rosenthal, Amy Krouse. (2012). Wumbers. Illus. by Tom Lichtenheld. San Francisco: Chronicle Books. 

This gr8t book is filled with word and number play 4 those who never get tired of the originality and cleverness of its cre8tors. Although there is no real storyline here, the pages are filled with words that rely on letters and numbers to communicate. Readers will shake their heads, laugh and cer10ly try their hands at cre8ing a few of these on their own after reading examples such as these tuba instructions from a teacher to her student to "Tigh10 your mouth...then 4ce out the air" (unpaged). Although some of the letter and number partnerships are harder than others and not as easily noticed; for instance, "I think you'll sur5" (unpaged), they make sense with a little practice. Even the endnotes with philosophical ponderings about “what the path is 2 true enligh10ment” and dedication contain these wumbers, combinations of letters and words for the creative-minded. The ink and PanPastel illustrations are just as delightful as the text. Readers will clamor for more. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

GRADES 9-12


Rosoff, Meg. (2012). There is no dog. New York: Putnam Juvenile. 

This title imagines that God is a teenage boy named Bob, who is hard to like because he is self-absorbed, lazy, and intent on bedding as many females as he possibly can. There are Biblical references about the creation of the heavens and the earth interspersed with the storyline, which involves the indolent Bob who spots the voluptuous but virginal Lucy, who works at the city zoo, and decides he must have her. This bothers his assistant, the long-suffering Mr. B, who does most of Bob’s work. From centuries of experience, he knows that Bob’s love affairs with mortals never end well. Earth suffers each time as natural disasters follow in the wake of his romances. But this time, Bob is sure that Lucy is the one with whom he wants to spend the rest of his life. Or is she? Not only do ponderings about the nature of God elevate this one from most of today’s titles, but readers who can ignore their annoyance at the nature of God as a teenager will chortle at the spot-on depiction of an adolescent who doesn’t remember to pick up after himself being in charge of the world. Patient readers may glean a bit of hope for the future, not to mention laughing at some of the book's characters and the situations in which they find themselves. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

by Judith Hayn

Spinelli, Jerry.  (2012).  Jake and Lily.  New York, NY: Little, Brown, and Co.  

Jerry Spinelli, the master of middle school-aged mayhem, returns with plot and characters designed for sheer reading fun. Jake and Lily are fraternal twins who have always been able to read each other’s thoughts and sense when the other needs rescue. The summer before their sixth grade year, this sense, nicknamed “goombla,” by the close siblings seems to disappear. Jake spends his days with a gang of guys called the Death Rays led by budding bully Bumpy; they ride bikes while seeking goobers (misfits) to annoy and ridicule.

Lily is lost and alone without her best buddy. Fortunately, the twins have patient parents and an understanding grandfather who decides to live near them after traveling the globe for years. Poppy provides the common sense Lily needs as he gently encourages her to forge a life without Jake in it. In the meantime, Jake struggles with his own conscience when terrorizing of a new kid in town turns to vandalism.

Now that they have struggled through their separate journeys, documented as Poppy suggests in journals, the twins narrate chapters in alternating voices. The reader is thus somewhat assured that the end will be satisfying, but the trip is exciting and suspenseful—another Spinelli hit for all libraries for young adolescents with its themes of family and friendship. 

Dr. Judith A. Hayn is an Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

This article is part of a series from the International Reading Association's Special Interest Group Network on Adolescent Literature (SIGNAL).