Teachers typically celebrate poetry during the month of April, but every month, week, and day can offer inspiration for poetry. It doesn’t have to be relegated to one month each year or a poetry unit taught during one grading period. With its wide variety of forms and subjects, poetry is for every day of the year, and teachers won’t find it hard to find poems that fit all their curricular needs. Whether through reading, writing or listening to others perform poetry, there are many ways that teachers can involve their students in its appreciation. ReadWriteThink offers a plethora of lesson ideas for poetry across the grade levels. Readers might be interested in checking out these poetry resources too: Poetry for Children Blog and the J. Patrick Lewis: Children’s Poet Laureate website as well as even more on this talented and prolific poet at www.jpatricklewis.com.

For this week’s review column, members of the Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) identify several books of poetry that will add fun to the summer months and inspire teachers to make poetry an integral part of the curriculum.

PRESCHOOL/INFANTS

Yolen, Jane. (2013). Wee rhymes: Baby’s first poetry book. Illus. by Jane Dyer. New York: Simon & Schuster Publishing/ Paula Wiseman Books.

For preschools, shower gifts, or new families, this first book of poetry is just right to start young children on the path to appreciating beautiful language. The book’s author and illustrator have joined forces to create a lovely little volume of new poems, Mother Goose rhymes, songs and rhythms that fit into the everyday life of young children. Opening with the quote, “We both believe that literature begins in the cradle,” Yolen and Dyer have given a great start for anyone interested in sharing simple poems with a loved one with this marvelous lap book of poetry. Readers may be interested in some of the grandmotherly backstory at the blog, Randomly Reading. Read more about Jane Yolen and J. Patrick Lewis in this Engage blog 5 Questions interview.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

GRADES K-2

Brown, Calef. (2013). We go together! A curious selection of affectionate verse. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children.

With Brown’s signature whimsical acrylic illustrations and lively poetics, he has created a book of poetry about friendship and things that go together or as the subtitle suggests, “a curious selection of affectionate verse.” One of the opening poems, We Go Together, sets the tone for the 14 poems within the book: “We go together/ like fingers and thumbs./Basses and drums./ Pastries and crumbs/ We go together/ like apples and plums./ Molars and gums/ Genuine chums/ …" (p.1) This will be a great book to look at metaphor and simile or to celebrate the joy of friends. Readers can get to know this author/illustrator through the video filmed at the National Book Festival.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Fitch, Sheree. (2013). Night sky wheel ride. Illus. by Yayo. Vancouver, BC: Tradewind Books.

Finally old enough to ride the intriguing Ferris wheel at the carnival, Brother and Sister are off to the fairgrounds for the long-awaited ride on the wheel that seems to touch the sky. The ride at night is even more exciting as the children reach toward the stars. Lively free verse writing and cotton candy illustrations match the wordplay that makes the fascination of this ride on a giant wheel come to life. In fact, the poems begin to transform the Ferris wheel into many imaginary things as the children whirl around sounding like a giant pig that squeals “Wheeeeeeel, Wheeeeeeel,” or a spinning, spiraling washing machine or an apple tree that lets the riders plummet back to earth. The excitement and thrill of each poem will make this a delight to read aloud. Learn more about this Canadian author at her website and blog.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Fandel, Jennifer. (2012). You can write cool poems. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.

From the You Can Write series, this guidebook offers writing help for young readers and writers. Starting with ideas to tie in thoughts and feelings and turn them into words and phrases, the book offers these suggestions and then advice on how to practice some more for follow-up. Using bright colored photographs, Fast Fact boxes, writing tips and a question format, these suggestions will guide young writers and their ideas into writing poems of their own.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Gerber, Carole. (2013). Seeds, bees, butterflies and more!: Poems for two voices. Illus. by Eugene Yelchin. New York: Henry Holt and Co.

What is more fun than a poem? A poem that needs two voices! Using insects and plants for the backdrop, author Carole Gerber has created these 18 wonderful nature poems, full of facts, to be shared by two voices – perfect for classroom use and a bit of poetry performance. Gerber’s earlier book, Winter Trees (Charlesbridge, 2008), was named an Outstanding Science Trade Book, and she to blend science and poetry in her latest book with poems such as “Honey and Bumble,” which subtly voices the difference between the two types of bees: “ I like your black and yellow suit/ I love your tiny waist. Next to you,/ I’m awkward and I take up too much space./ Bumble, you’re a perfect bee/ Thanks, Honey, so are you/ Want to share my flower? There’s room enough for two!/” (unpaged). Visit the author’s website to learn about her school visits and free books.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Lewis, J. Patrick. (2013). World Rat Day: Poems about real holidays you’ve never heard of. Illus. by Anna Raff. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Acclaimed poet J. Patrick Lewis serves up 26 poems celebrating, of all things, strange holidays in honor of mules, rats, sloths, skunks, turtles, and even cephalopods. Readers can find a holiday celebrating just about anything worth celebrating, and Lewis pays tribute to all of these events in his usual slyly clever fashion. Sure to be a favorite of sweet lovers around the world, his poem "Chocolate-Covered Ants" honors Chocolate-Covered Anything Day, which makes the imagination go wild at all the chocolate possibilities. The poet includes couplets and concrete poetry as well as his typical word play in some of the lines. An unquestionable favorite one is the brief but apt "No one will ever forget Ewe" (p. 28). Yes, that's the title and the entire poem too. The poems and the illustrations, created from ink wash and drawings and then digitally assembled, speak for themselves. Young readers will enjoy these simple but effective lines and laugh at the strange types of holidays being highlighted. Back matter telling a bit more about these holidays would round this collection out nicely, but curious readers may be tempted to research them for themselves.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Swinburne, Stephen R. (2010). Ocean soup: Tide-pool poems. Illus. by Mary Peterson. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.

Science and poetry have become new best friends as the poet proves with his tide pool poetry. A perfect companion for any study of the ocean or visit to the beach, poems include factual information about hermit crabs, lobsters, sea slugs, sea urchins, starfish, anemone, barnacles and more marine critters. Cartoon-like illustrations will appeal to young readers as they explore the shore with these lighthearted verses that are also filled with facts. This book has its own website that includes a short video with the author, videos about some of the other poems, and numerous facts about tide pools and oceans.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

GRADES 3-5

Argueta, Jorge. (2013). Tamalitos: una poema de cocinar/A cooking poem. Trans. by Elisa Amado. Illus. by Domi. Toronto, ON: Groundwood Books.

Filled with delicious words and phrases ("The husk will be like/ a little sheet for the dough" (unpaged) and "...you have a little dough package./ The dough is like a little pillow/ in the middle of the husk" (unpaged), this poem celebrates the delights of cooking tamalitos. Part recipe and cookbook and part history lesson about corn and all parts deliciously delightful, the poem provides step by step directions that are guaranteed to send just about anyone to the family kitchen. What is most interesting about this author and his book-length poem celebrating food and cooking is just how involved in the process his two characters are. For the poet and his characters, cooking little tamales requires concentration and focusing all the senses on the process. The watercolor illustrations add immeasurably to the joy of cooking, and will leave readers licking their fingers and lips and saying, “Yummmmmmy!”

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Lesynski, Loris. (2012). Crazy about soccer! Illus. by Gerry Rasmussen. Toronto,ON: Annick Press.

With cartoon-like illustrations, this book of poetry about soccer is ideal for devoted fans, whether on the field or off. Fans will be engaged from the title poem, "Crazy About Soccer" with its description of "muscles deflated/legs like spaghetti/cleats full of mud/exhausted and sweaty/sometimes a good game/ sometimes the worst/ we're tired and grimy/ and dying of thirst/ but back here tomorrow?/ you bet/ and we'll play/ day after day after day/after day" (p. 5). The history of soccer from Shakespeare to World Cup soccer is covered through these rhymed verses. Young sports enthusiasts might even enjoy a romp with these poems and a soccer ball. Teachers might be interested in introducing some of the poems with this pdf. from the publisher or they can visit the illustrator's website for more enlarged versions of the poems.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Lewis, J. Patrick. (2013). Face bug: Poems. Photographs by Frederic B. Siskind. Illus. by Kelly Murphy. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press/Wordsong.

Poet J. Patrick Lewis, photographer Frederic B. Siskind and illustrator Kelly Murphy have combined talents to invite young readers to the Face Bug Museum that offers humorous verse coupled with black-and-white line illustrations and close-up photomicrographs of 14 different bugs. Enter the tree that houses the museum for a closer look at bugs like the Hickory Horned Devil, the Eastern Carpenter Bee, the Nursery Web Spider, the Pear Crescent Butterfly, the Dogday Harvestfly Cicada, the American Horse Fly, the Goldenrod Stowaway Moth, the Green Stinkbug and more. Once again, science meets poetry in an entertaining and informative way. Science poetry ideas can be found at the Growing with Science blog that features this book. Visit the author’s website for tips and tools for writing poetry.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Lewis, J. Patrick, editor. (2012). National Geographic book of animal poetry: With favorites from Robert Frost, Jack Prelutsky, Emily Dickinson, and more: 200 poems with photographs that squeak, soar and roar! Washington, D.C., National Geographic.

Even the most reluctant readers of poetry will find something appealing in this collection of 200 poems about animals by classic and contemporary writers. Selected by Children's Poet Laureate and recipient of the NCTE Excellence in Poetry for Children Award, J. Patrick Lewis, the book contains verses from Emily Dickinson, D. H. Lawrence, Ogden Nash, and Rudyard Kipling, among others, representing the past, and Paul Janeczko, Alice Schertle, Jack Prelutsky, and Janet Wong, representing the present and future of children's poetry. Lewis himself contributed a couple of delightful poems: "Polar Bear Rap" and "A Flamingo Is," attesting to his versatility. The poems have been grouped in ways that may surprise readers and prompt reflection about the animals’ commonalities in sections such as "Welcome to the World," "The Big Ones," "The Little Ones," "The Winged Ones," "The Water Ones," "The Strange Ones," "The Noisy Ones," "The Quiet Ones," and then "Final Thoughts." The poems have been placed across vivid one- and two-page photographic spreads depicting the animals being celebrated poetically. It’s hard to decide whether the poems or the images are more delightful. Teachers will appreciate the directions for writing animal poetry in the back matter as well as the resource list of books containing exemplary types of wordplay including anagrams, shaped poems, and tongue twisters. This is a book to savor and to read more than once. It's also a book that must be shared with others. Although the text credits indicate which poems were commissioned expressly for this collection and how many were previously published, it would be helpful to have that information more readily available. Still, this is a must-have for the classroom library.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Medina, Tony. (2013). The President looks like me: & other poems. East Orange, NJ: Just Us Books.

The voices of urban children ring out in these 44 multicultural poems by award-winning poet and professor, Tony Medina. The poems speak to hopes and dreams of children for their futures but also to their everyday lives and experiences. Also included are poems about famous people like musicians John Coltrane and Celia Cruz. Being Black and Latino, author Tony Medina is able to write from a truly multicultural reference point, and his poems reflect his background. The afterword offers readers a look at some of the forms of poetry used in the book including blues poems, haiku, limericks, sonnets, odes, praise poems, list poems and more. Listen to the author discuss his new book and possibilities of a Skype visit on the BlogTalkRadio interview. See more multicultural texts for children in the CL/R SIG's multicultural book reviews from April 17.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Service, Robert. (2013). The Cremation of Sam McGee: The 20th anniversary edition. Illus. by Ted Harrison. Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press.

Kids Can Press has published a 20th anniversary edition of the classic poem and tale of the Yukon prospector, Sam McGee, based on their 1986 edition. Illustrator Ted Harrison has added notes on each page to add the historical background and understanding for this narrative poem. Teachers can use this video of country music great, Johnny Cash, reading The Cremation of Sam McGee or for more background information listen to this NPR discussion of the poem.  Teachers might also enjoy using this detailed teaching guide to the poem.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Singer, Marilyn. (2013). Follow, follow: A book of reverso poems. Illus. by Josee Masse. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.

Following her successful and original Mirror, Mirror (Dutton, 2010), Marilyn Singer has written a second book based on fairy tales using the reverso format where the poems are presented forward and backward. For example, in this new edition from the tale of “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” comes Singer’s “The Birthday Suit” (p.5): “Behold his glorious majesty:/me,/Who dares say he drained the treasury/on/nothing?/Ha!/This emperor has/sublime taste in finery!/ Only a fool could fail to see./ Now read the verso poem of the same tale: “Only a fool could fail to see./Sublime taste in finery?/This emperor has-/ha!/nothing/on!/Who dares say he drained the treasury?/Me./Behold his glorious majesty!/ From “The Little Mermaid’s Choice” to “Your Wish is my Command” to “The Silly Goose,” Singer has cleverly created poems that beg to be read aloud with two voices, punctuation emphasis and perhaps a theatric or two for a truly enjoyable poetry experience. Teachers can visit Marilyn Singer’s website to learn more about her work.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Vardell, Sylvia, & Wong, Janet. (2013). The Poetry Friday anthology for middle school: Poems for the school year with connections to the Common Core: Middle School Edition. Princeton, NJ: Pomelo Books.

The end of school and approach of summer are perfect times for teachers to recharge their emotional and intellectual batteries and consider adding poetry to their daily instructional routine for the coming school year. Shaking a dash of poetry into the instructional mix makes any lesson far from mundane. Savvy teachers have learned they can trust Vardell and Wong, both former members of the NCTE Excellence in Poetry for Children Award Committee, to guide them as they choose poems to share with their students. As in their previous title, The Poetry Anthology K-5 Edition (2012), the compilers have selected 108 poems, 36 for each grade level, in order to provide teachers with a poem for each week. Each week has a theme that goes across all grade levels, enabling teachers to choose other poems or for students at various grade levels to enjoy poems on similar topics. Even the most reluctant performer will feel supported by the Take 5! box that accompanies every poem. These carefully chosen tips and strategies offer ways to present the poems through art, drama, and technology and describe curriculum connections. Since the tips follow a particular format, they are easy to follow and are likely to entice teachers (or their students) to try them. The first tip suggests ways to enliven the poem through props, gestures, and expressive reading. The second tip provides ways to involve the students by reading aloud repeated lines or chosen words. The third tip offers a simple but engaging open-ended discussion prompt about the poem. The fourth tip is essentially a poetry primer since the authors connect the poem for the week to a poetic concept or language arts skill. Finally, the fifth tip suggests additional poems or poetry books that relate to the provided poem and can extend the lesson even further. Considered separately, each tip scaffolds teachers’ approach to the poetry, but taken together, these tips provide abundant resources for building cross-curricular, poetry-based middle grade classrooms that take note of the social nature of learning. Teachers will be hard pressed to decide whether they love the poems, written expressly for this book by poets such as Leslie Bulion, Guadalupe Garcia McCall, Heidi Mordhorst, Laura Purdie Salas, Joyce Sidman, Allan Wolf, and Jane Yolen, among others, or the teaching tips the best. Whatever their preference may be, they will find this book to be THE essential resource for allowing poetry to assume its rightful, thoughtful place in today’s classroom. With Vardell and Wong and this resource by their sides, teachers will be compelled to perform poetry and share their newly-awakened passion for poetry with their own students.  It’s a sure bet that their middle graders will clamor to perform some of the poems in their own inimitable ways. Innovative teachers can count on this resource to enliven their classrooms. Write on, Sylvia and Janet, write on!

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Yolen, Jane, and Rebecca Kai Dotlich. (2013). Grumbles from the forest: Fairy-tale voices with a twist: Poems. Illus. by Matt Mahurin. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press/Wordsong.

Drawing inspiration from 15 familiar fairy tales familiar to the Western world, these two talented poets offer their different takes on each tale. Sometimes in the 30 poems shared here, they introduce new characters, and sometimes they simply create lines that provide a varied perspective on the story, for instance, that of the pea smashed under those mattresses and the long-suffering princess in "The Princess and the Pea." Readers may enjoy performing "Three Bears, Five Voices" and "Goldilocks Leaves a Letter Stuck in the Door," two poems inspired, of course, by "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." The illustrations contain dark colors and scenes of violence that fit the dark, pensive nature of many of these rhymes. Teachers will want to pair this one with Singer’s earlier Mirror Mirror (Dutton, 2010), and consider using it as fodder for writing inspiration for their own students.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

GRADES 9-12

Bush, Gail and Randy Meyer (Ed.). (2013). Indivisible: Poems for social justice. Illus. by Matthew Bush. Chicago: Norwood House Press.

This collection of 54 poems is devoted to “living in a more socially just America,” according to the co-editors of this anthology. Poets such as Billy Collins, Pat Mora, Matthew Thomas Bush, Langston Hughes, Amiri Baraka, Ishmael Reed and more 20th century writers make this volume relevant for today’s world. This work is divided into five sections beginning with “liberty was misquoted” and goes on from there to develop concepts of freedom and equality and how teens can be moved to make change and move to action. The foreword is written by Common, a hip-hop artist, whose involvement may draw teen readers to the book. For more in this theme, read the CL/R SIG's reviews of new children's books about social justice.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Kennedy, Caroline (Selected by). (2013). Poems to learn by heart. Paintings by Jon J Muth. New York: Disney/Hyperion Books.

This companion to Caroline Kennedy’s A Family of Poems (2005), brings over one hundred more poems to young readers and families who appreciate life through the beauty of words in poetry. Arranged in themes like nature, sports, monsters and fairies, and friendship and family readers will find poetry old and new. Caroline Kennedy is now emphasizing the importance and depth of feeling involved in actually memorizing favorite poems and the confidence it builds when one is empowered with a poem. Moth’s watercolor paintings add to the beauty of the poetry. Listen to the NPR discussion of this book by Caroline Kennedy and the merits of memorizing poetry or watch this video with kids and Caroline.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

These reviews are submitted by members of the International Reading Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) and are published weekly on Reading Today Online. The International Reading Association partners with the National Council of Teachers of English and Verizon Thinkfinity to produce ReadWriteThink.org, a website devoted to providing literacy instruction and interactive resources for grades K–12.

by Judith Hayn

Farrant, N. (2013). After Iris. New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers.

Bluebell Gadsby’s twin Iris died three years ago, and Blue feels responsible because she let her extrovert, daredevil sister leave the house without her; Iris never returned. Blue is withdrawn and creative, yet determined to record the family’s quirky day-to-day activities on her video camera. Dad escapes by teaching at a faraway university while Mom globetrots as a high-powered businesswoman leaving the children alone. Blue tries to understand her older sister, the drama queen Flora, along with the younger Babes, Jasmine, and Twig. Zoran, a Bosnian refugee, is hired as the nanny to ride herd on this neglected bunch. Charismatic Joss moves in next door and pays attention to Blue who is immediately smitten; unfortunately, he and Flora fall in love leaving Blue to her camcorder and diary. Grief is complicated, and no one in this family is coping with the loss of Iris, especially Blue who succeeds in being invisible at school and at home. Middlers will root for this sensitive heroine, who tells in first person narrative the story of  her chaotic, dysfunctional family as she struggles to find her way from the shadow where she is hiding to a place where healing can begin.

Natasha Farrant is a literary agent for children’s and young adult literature authors in the U.K.; this is her first foray into the genre. If you are interested in reviews of books like this for tweens and teens and also in articles that will help you use them in the classroom, consider joining SIGNAL, the Special Interest Network—Adolescent Literature by clicking on the link below.

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 Special Interest Group Network on Adolescent Literature (SIGNAL).

The 94th annual celebration of Children's Book Week is May 13-19, 2013. Established in 1919, Children's Book Week is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country. Children's Book Week is administered by Every Child A Reader. The International Reading Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) celebrates Children's Book Week with this list of lovely new books.

GRADES K-2

Delacre, Lulu. (2013). How far do you love me? Text translated from Spanish by Veronica Betancourt. New York: Lee & Low Books.

Using soft pastels and free style poetic language, the author/illustrator has depicted the love of parent/adult and child using examples from all seven continents. Beginning with the question of “How far do you love me?” (p.1) and answering with “I love you to the top of the peaks/lit by the morning sun…” (p.2) from the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA, and continuing with “To the depths of the cave/where a spring seeps sweet water …” from Cenote Dzitnup, Yucatán, México. Other geographic comparisons representing the depth of parental love include Machu Picchu, Peru; the Antarctic Peninsula; the Serengeti Plain, Tanzania; the Siani Peninsula, Egypt; Provence, France; the Alps in Switzerland; Ladakh in the Himalaya Mountains in India; the Mekong River, Vietnam; Kangaroo Island, Australia; the Great Barrier Reef in Australia; and Vieques, Puerto Rico. The book concludes with a map of the world with each location mentioned pinpointed and an invitation from the author to play this game with a favorite child.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Duval, Kathy. (2013). Take me to your BBQ. Illus. by Adam McCauley. New York: Disney/Hyperion Books.

“Some colored lights from outer space/ Are lightin’ up the whole dang place!” (p. 5) says Willy from his Texas-style ranch while he watches little green men emerge from their space ship once they finish landing on his place. The aliens run around the ranch and get a feel for the garden and tractors and the food. Willy gets out his fiddle, and the aliens enjoy square dancing and the Texas two-step, and then the fun really begins. He fires up the grill, and the aliens commence to pour BBQ sauce on everything – beans, taters, greens, even Willy’s hat and shoes. McCauley’s watercolors and pastels add to the hilarity of the story in the depiction of the aliens and the havoc they create. A surprising twist at the end occurs when Willy and a few farm pets leave in the space vehicle UFO to fly to worlds beyond and open Willy’s BBQ, seen on an appropriate pull-out double page spread in the homeland of the aliens. Several wordless pictures end the book as readers see that a few green men have stayed behind and are taking care (or are they?) of the ranch. There is even a yummy BBQ sauce recipe included on the final pages. Enjoy McCauley’s website where he provides examples that trace how these final pictures evolved. The author has created a detailed teacher’s guide at her website.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Houran, Lori Haskins. (2013). I will keep you safe and sound. Illus. by Petra Brown. New York: Scholastic Press.

This beautifully illustrated and endearing rhymed story arrives just in time for Mother’s Day. The title comes from the three sections of the book that speak to parental love and keeping children safe and sound, beginning with “Brown bears in the den/ While the first buds peep/” (p.3), continuing with “Rabbits in the field/While the crickets cheep/” (p.5), and concluding with “Robins in the nest/ While the rain pours down/ I will keep you safe and sound.” (p.7). The spare rhyming pattern continues with examples of alligators and the sun, squirrels and hawks, dolphins and wild waves, beavers and strong winds, ponies and the setting sun, and a kitten lost in the moonlight. Pencil, watercolor and gouache artwork give the illustrations a soft and warm invitation to very young readers for a lap story safe within the arms of a loving adult. Listen to the illustrator read the book at her website with her delightful British accent.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Kleven, Elisa. (2013). Cozy light, cozy night. Berkeley, CA: Creston Books.

Filled with luminously colored and vividly detailed illustrations, this picture book in rhyming text celebrates that feeling of coziness so often associated with family and home. As the seasons change over the course of the year, all sorts of objects, including dreams, cocoa, birds, sweaters, and apples are described as being cozy. Although it’s wonderful to feel secure and cozy at any time of the year, youngsters experiencing tough times may find solace in this lovely, heartfelt book. There is little doubt that anyone reading this book won't relate to some of the different objects and relationships that spell coziness for the narrator.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Levine, Arthur A. (2013). The very beary tooth fairy. Illus. by Sarah S. Brannen. New York: Scholastic Press.

Every child worries about losing his/her first tooth and wondering about the tooth fairy, and Zach the bear is no different. As he struggles with his loose tooth, it is finally when his sister Leah shares a bag of candy that the tooth comes out. Zach has been trying to figure out if the tooth fairy is a bear or if the fairy is human and whether he should be afraid or not. His mother assures him that all will be just fine because “A bear can be anyone/ And anyone can be a bear” (p.14). That night when Zach hides his tooth, two interesting events occur. Dressed in fairy clothing (it’s sister Leah, really) when Zach is mostly asleep, she slips into his room and leaves an apple for his prize. After Leah leaves and Zach nods off and falls asleep, the “real” tooth fairy complete with wings and wand and fairy dust arrives to find the real tooth and leave a dollar, spritz Zach’s human doll into a teddy bear, and his picture of baseball great Sandy Koufax into a bear baseball player. The magic of the tooth fairy remains a mystery!

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Reid, Barbara. (2013). Picture a tree. Park Ridge, IL: Albert Whitman & Company.

Filled with powerful language, this appealing picture book encourages readers to look at trees from many different perspectives. Once they have done so, the author writes, "You may see the end of one thing, or the start of something new" (unpaged). Young readers will appreciate the author's consideration of trees in so many creative, even playful ways while older readers may be reminded of A Tree Is Nice (1956) by Janice May Udry, which covers similar territory. Both books are filled with splashes of green that soothe the senses and make readers pause for a moment. Certainly visually attractive, the Plasticine illustrations are filled with colors and plenty of movement. The images and text in this book also gladden the heart and may prompt meandering journeys through the trees during which hikers may store up sensory images so that they can truly picture a tree when they return home.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Moore, Eva. (2013). Lucky ducklings. Illus. by Nancy Carpenter. New York: Orchard Books.

Of course this true story of the stranded ducklings in Montauk, New York, in 2000, begs to be used with Robert McCloskey’s Make Way for Ducklings. Carpenter’s wonderful illustrations give several perspectives from the ducklings’ point of view to add to the suspense. Mama Duck has decided to take her new little ducklings for a walk and as she quacks out orders to follow her, Pippin, Bippin, Tippin, Dippin, and Little Joe, do just that. They leave the park and nibble on things to eat while on their walk. As Mama Duck continues their walk she marches right over the storm drain, and all of the little ducklings fall through the grate! The little ducklings create quite a ruckus. Fortunately, someone sees what is happening, and although firemen are called to the rescue, they can’t get the grate off. “That could have been the end of the story. But it wasn’t, because ….” (p.16) a man named Perry attaches a cable from his truck and is able to pull the grate off. A wonderful perspective of the fireman crawling down into the storm drain as the little ducks are looking up from the dark is the centerpiece of this story. The ducks are rescued and placed in a bucket to be taken to the pond. But Mama Duck is not happy about that! “Fireman Dennis knows just was to do” (p.21). He removes the ducklings from the bucket and lets them line up with Mama, stops traffic, and allows the ducks to travel on their way. For more background on this author and this true story, read this Q&A interview from Publisher’s Weekly.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Scillian, Devin. (2013). Johnny Kaw: A tall tale. Illus. by Brad Sneed. Ann Arbor, MI: Sleeping Bear Press.

The author has written a tall tale reminiscent of Paul Bunyan although this tale centers around life on the plains of Kansas. Told in rhyming lines, the story begins when Johnny is born, and as he turns five minutes old, he is already six foot two and gains a pound every hour. Very soon, his parents have to find a bigger place to live. As they leave their home, Johnny literally helps them carve out a new place to live by throwing the stones from the field, and in true tall tale fashion the stones become the Rocky Mountains. He spits out a seed of grass and fields of wheat grow. When a cyclone twister whips up, Johnny goes after that storm with his newly created scythe made from a cottonwood trunk and a windmill blade. Life is going well until Johnny’s mother passes away. To deal with his grief, “he cleared every tree and left Kansas bare/ So she could see the sunset from anywhere” (p.27) because watching the sunset was his mother’s favorite time of day. This is a tenderly told story that will add humor and perspective to any tall tale collection of stories. 

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Scillian, Devin. (2013). Memoirs of a hamster. Illus. by Tim Bowers. Ann Arbor, MI: Sleeping Bear Press.

From the author of Memoirs of a Goldfish (2010) comes the “Question: Who’s the luckiest hamster in the world? Answer: ME!” (p.1). And so begins the writing pattern of this delightful story that must be read aloud for full enjoyment. Each page tells the story of Seymour’s arrival to his new home with Little Girl. Even though she likes to kiss him (Yuck!), he does enjoy his new water bottle, and his Fuzzy Boy 360 exercise wheel, and he really likes the yogurt drops that Little Girl feeds him. However, Pearl the cat questions Seymour’s enjoyment of his wheel since it doesn’t go anywhere, and tells him that the freedom of the sun room and the stairway made of sunflower seeds are a much more enjoyable way of living. As Seymour thinks Pearl might be right, he devises a plan to escape from his cage.  Pearl is anxiously waiting to attack on the night of Seymour’s escape, and as Seymour realizes what could be first but fatal mistake, he asks: “Question: Who’s in big trouble? Answer: ME!” For any child who has had or wanted a hamster, this very funny story with a bit of suspense is just right for sharing with others. Read more about the author in "5 Questions With...Devin Scillian" on the Engage blog.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Sheth, Kashmira. (2013). Tiger in my soup. Illus. by Jeffrey Ebbeler. Atlanta: Peachtree Press.

Perfect for Children’s Book Week, Right to Read Week, El Dia, or any day to commemorate literacy, this book celebrates reading. An older sister left in charge of her younger brother must get his lunch ready to eat. Busily occupied with her own book, she distractedly warms up soup for her brother’s lunch and ignores his pleas to read to him. When the soup is plopped on the table, steamy and too hot to start slurping it down, the young boy is startled as a tiger lunges out of the soup. At every turn, the boy is faced with the ferocious tiger, while his sister sees and hears nothing. The illustrations exaggerate the tiger’s size and fierceness as well as the fear on the young boy’s face, and prompt chuckles from readers. Much of the unspoken fun is in the pictures.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Van Lieshout, Maria. (2013). Flight 1-2-3. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.

Young readers are always fascinated with transportation. “When taking a flight, what do you see?” is the author’s introductory statement when readers open the book and begin a journey to the airport. Designed as a counting book, the book’s text encourages readers to begin with the number 1 and a sign for an airplane.  The bold illustrations depict a young family getting out of their taxi as they arrive at the airport. Number 2 designates the sign for luggage carts, and the family uses two of them to move within the airport. Number 3 depicts the Check-In desks as the three passengers get their tickets. Number 4 shows the signs for elevators and escalators, number 5 depicts trash cans, Number 6 shows the security officers, Number 7 is for food and drinks, Number 8 and 9 show the restrooms, Number 10 represents the Gates. Large numbers are included at the end for seat belts signs, numbers representing miles and kilometers, feet and meters. This is a perfect travel companion to the author’s earlier book, Backseat A-B-See. Read more about her writing ideas for this book at the author’s blog.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Wyeth, Sharon Dennis. (2013). The granddaughter necklace. Illus. by Bagram Ibatoulline. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic Press.

A perfect story for Mother’s Day, Sharon Dennis Wyeth shares a piece of her own family history. “Once there was a girl named Frances, who took a boat across the sea. Her mother gave her a glittering necklace that would belong to me someday. Handed down through the generations, it’s a necklace worn by the women and girls in my family” (p.1). Thus begins the mother to daughter story and tradition of handing down the granddaughter necklace to each female descendant. In writing the story Wyeth explored her own family history, tracing her roots back to Ireland, to her surprise. Each separate story is told with nostalgic warmth and describes the passing of the necklace given at special moments during the lives of each young girl along with the story of the necklace. The author has included extensive notes at the end explaining the search of her ancestry. On her website she writes, “My cherished family remembrances shine like jewels!”

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

GRADES 3-5

George, Jessica Day. (2013). Wednesdays in the tower. New York: Bloomsbury.

The sequel to Tuesdays at the Castle (2011), in which Princess Celie and her brother Rolf learned in the first book that Castle Glower has a mind of its own, this title shows that even a castle can change its mind. Before, The Castle only added or removed rooms on Tuesdays but now Wednesdays seem to have been added to The Castle’s agenda. In this new adventure, The Castle has created a new and hidden room that contains a bright orange egg. Rolf challenges Celie to find the new room, and when she does, she also discovers the egg. Celie cares for the egg and waits to see what will happen. One day, it hatches out a griffin that she names Rufus. With the exception of Bran the Wizard and Pogue the blacksmith, Celie manages to keep the existence of Rufus a secret. Celie tries to learn about griffins and their history within the castle and enjoys the fun of riding on Rufus’s back while pursuing her investigation. The ending leaves the story “hanging” (literally) and wide open for the next installment.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Rylant, Cynthia. (2013). The steadfast tin soldier. Illus. by Jen Corace. New York: Abrams Books for Children.

It's terrific for a modern audience to have another version of the classic Hans Christian Andersen story of love between a tin soldier with one leg and a beautiful ballerina who perches on one leg. In this version of the story, a jealous goblin pushes the soldier from the window sill where his owner has perched him. From there, he goes on quite an adventure, sailing into a stream, meeting a rat who demands his passport, and then swept along further until being swallowed by a fish. When he somehow survives his perilous journey, his ballerina love is thrilled, but the goblin has one more trick up his sleeve, a fiery ending planned for the would-be lovers. Nevertheless, despite his treachery, true love triumphs over its many obstacles in this version of the tale. The watercolor, gouache, acrylic and pen and ink illustrations complement perfectly this timeless story of an unlikely romance. Although there is quite a lot of text, the story and the illustrations will hold readers' attention.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

GRADES 6-8

Setterington, Ken. (2013). Branded by the pink triangle. Toronto, ON: Second Story Press.

Much has been written about the atrocities of the Nazis during the Holocaust, but little has been written about the treatment of gay men during that time period. This book does an excellent job of describing the initial harassment of gay men by the Nazis as they tried to enforce Paragraph 175, a heretofore mostly ignored law passed in 1871 forbidding sexual contact between men. Eventually, anyone suspected as being homosexual was taken to a concentration camp and identified with a pink triangle worn on his clothing. The author describes the stories of some of the men who survived the horrible conditions in the death camps. Some young readers familiar with the play and movie Bent may be familiar with this aspect of the Holocaust, but most will have no idea of this form of discrimination. Young readers will now know this important piece of Holocaust history and understand the significance of the pink triangle, now the symbol of gay rights, once a mark of shame.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

GRADES 9-12

Lynch, Chris. (2013). Pieces. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Returning to the characters created in Iceman (HarperCollins, 1994) the author returns readers to younger brother Eric, now 17, as he grieves the accidental death of his older brother, Duane, the previous year in a diving accident. Eric is lost without Duane who was not only his brother, but also his best friend. He mentally revisits that night in the hospital when Duane’s organs were harvested for other people in need. Now, a year later, as Eric contemplates his next steps in life including joining the Navy, he debates whether he wants to meet the recipients of Duane’s organs. He decides to attend a meeting where the recipients will be and is introduced to Phil, who is so grateful to have hearing now due to Duane’s inner-ear bones, to Barry who received the liver that he now seems driven to destroy through alcohol, and to Melinda who got a kidney that saved her life and allowed her to raise her child. Enter Martha, Duane’s former girlfriend and object of Eric’s teen crush, and these individuals become a sort of new family group for Eric. Complicated coming of age emotions make this a complex novel and study in characterization.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Lynch, Janet Nichols. (2013). My beautiful hippie. New York: Holiday House.

It's 1967, the Summer of Love in San Francisco, and sixteen-year-old Joanne Donnelly lives right on the edge of the action in Haight-Ashbury. Her middle class upbringing leaves Joanne (Joni) feeling constrained and longing for more. She is drawn to Martin, a hippie panhandling on the street, and his particular lifestyle, even while fearing that he will be unfaithful to her and leave her. It’s clear almost from the start that this is a match not meant to be—despite the strong attraction between the two teens. Even as Martin introduces Joni to the counterculture, her older sister Denise has her own consciousness raised as the result of a disappointing early marriage. While capturing the sounds, sights, and feelings of this turbulent period in the nation's history, the author creates interesting characters that change over the course of the novel. Readers will be drawn to Joni and her determinately rebellious nature while noting that her searching didn't take her very far away from home. In many respects this is a quiet book, but it’s also the story of important life choices being made. Readers are certain to wonder what sort of adult Joni will become.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

McMann, Lisa. (2013).  Crash. New York: Simon Pulse/Simon and Schuster.

From the author of the popular Wake trilogy, Crash is the first title in her new Visions series. This first volume introduces readers to Jules and the DeMarco family. They own an Italian restaurant, and Jules is resigned to the fact that if she wants to drive to school, she must take the double-meatball-shaped food truck. Jules is starting to have visions, and everywhere she turns she pictures a terrible crash with a snowplow hurtling toward a building and an explosion resulting in nine body bags. Finally, after one vision she recognizes the face on one of the bodies, Sawyer Angotti, someone she knows and cares about deeply. With a history of mental illness in her family, Jules is reluctant to tell anyone about her visions. Although the visions are appearing everywhere, billboards, road signs, and television, she has to figure out a way to prevent this horrible accident from happening. McMann adds a bit of levity throughout this suspense-filled action novel as Jules is always creating her lists of 5 things she needs to think about and maybe act upon. This supernatural thriller is a great way to begin a new series from this popular author.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Winters, Cat. (2013). In the shadow of blackbirds. New York: Abrams/Amulet Books.

The cover of this book set in 1918 promises an enticing, independent, free-thinking protagonist with a plot revolving around spiritualism. Other black and white photographs, intriguing shots of mediums and possible visitors from the spirit world, soldiers in trenches during WWI, and images of citizens wearing masks to protect themselves from contagion, have been strategically placed within the narrative. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black has fled her Portland home for San Diego where her aunt lives. While her father is on trial for following his conscience, her aunt works hard to forget her own losses. Even as news of the war swirls around them, it is the flu that frightens everyone into staying home so they can avoid the contagion. Perhaps because there is so much death around them, many citizens are fascinated by the possibility of making connections with the spirits of their dearly departed. Mary Shelley scoffs at their gullibility, but when she feels the presence of Stephen, her childhood friend turned potential suitor, after his death, she decides she must figure out why his spirit refuses to rest. The original storyline and fascinating characters will keep even the choosiest reader engaged, and there are enough twists, turns, and bumps along the way to hold the attention of most readers. Effectively and hauntingly capturing the place and time in a surreal fashion, the author prompts reflection about the things we do to save face and whether the events described in the book could have happened. Readers will be unlikely to stop thinking about all those deaths as the result of the flu.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

These reviews are submitted by members of the International Reading Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) and are published weekly on Reading Today Online.

During the annual conference in San Antonio, IRA announced the 2013 winners of the IRA Children’s and Young Adult Book Awards. This prestigious award focuses on promising debut authors; only first and second books by an author are considered. The award has a rich history of selecting authors whom become well-known names (Lois Lowry, Sy Montogomery, and Rebecca Stead, just to name a few), so check out the wonderful books below and watch for these new authors in the future. 

Primary Fiction Winner:
Larson, Deborah Jo. (2012). One Frozen Lake. Illus by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher. St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Historical Society Press.

Larsen tells the touching story of a grandfather passing down the tradition of ice fishing with his grandson. Larson’s clever use of numbers and rhymes capture the immediate attention of young readers. As the fishing pair set up their gear inside the ice shack, they spend quality time together sorting tackle, drinking hot chocolate, playing cards, and making friends as they wait for that one big fish to bite. Finally… a bite, but the fish is too small, and grandfather advises his grandson to return him to the deep, dark waters underneath the thick ice. It appears that they are returning home empty-handed, but there is a stronger bond and a great memory of the day they went ice fishing together.

- Amy Vessel, Louisiana Tech University

Primary Fiction Honor:
Redmond, E.S. (2012). The Unruly Queen. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Minerva von Vyle is an impossible child! A spoiled rotten young girl left with house staff while the parents are always away, she stirs up a commotion each and every day. She commands and she demands. She refuses and she confuses. Her tantrums and fits make her seem impossible until the fifty-third nanny arrives. This nanny means business; Minerva has finally met her match! As the nanny crowns her the “Unruly Queen,” being bad doesn’t seem so wonderful anymore. We hope there is a sweet child underneath Minerva after all! E.S. Redmond’s use of vivaciously rich vocabulary with such rhythm and rhyme make this read aloud delightful to children of all ages.

- Amy Vessel, Louisiana Tech University

Primary Nonfiction Winner:
McReynolds, Linda. (2012). Eight Days Gone. Illus. by Ryan O’Rourke. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.

Linda McReynolds is …
Rumbling. Blasting.
Seizing fame…
with her first book, Eight Days Gone. Through the use of simplistic, retro art work by Ryan O’Rourke and verse brimming with robust vocabulary, McReynolds leads young readers through the historic event of Apollo 11’s moon landing. With minimal words, she touches on the most memorable moments and key figures from the world’s first space adventure. Eight Days Gone is sure to send children on their own quest to discover the mysteries of the 1968 journey into the “starry darkness.”

- Kellie Kostrubala, Ward Central Elementary, Ward, AR

Primary Nonfiction Honor:
Hale, Christy. (2012). Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building. New York: Lee & Low Books, Inc.

Stacking blocks, cereal, and toys around them encourages children’s fascination with building things. Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building is an awesome resource connecting children’s imaginative play with that of architects across time and geography. The book links photographs of well-known buildings (on the right pages) with illustrations of basic creations by children (on the left pages.) Written in concrete poetry, the poems’ printed styles match the architectural styles of the buildings. This resourceful book encourages creativity in boys and girls, helping readers of all ages see endless possibilities. The additional information lends itself to further investigation of the architects and their buildings.

- Deb L. Marciano, Valdosta State University

Intermediate Fiction Winner:
Verrico, Susan. (2012). Privateer’s Apprentice. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree.

Susan Verrico’s debut novel, Privateer’s Apprentice, is a historical fiction treasure. Set in 1712 in the Carolina Territory, readers will be immediately drawn into the rich story world and become attached to its multi-dimensional characters. Jameson, the 13-year old son of a printer, has been recently orphaned, imprisoned, and sold into indentured servitude to the local baker. Just when he thinks his life could not get much worse, he is kidnapped by pirates and forced to live a life at sea. As Jameson proves his worth and finds his own place within the brigand of pirates, Verrico highlights the depth of humanity in her complex characters and reminds readers that one cannot judge people based on perceptions or first impressions.
- Kara Coffino, University of Minnesota

Intermediate Fiction Honor:
Krumwiede, Lana. (2012). Freakling. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

Freakling is often described as a dystopia novel for readers who are not quite ready for The Hunger Games. With twelve year old Taemon as the novel’s central character, Freakling is a perfect fit for readers age ten and up. Lana Krumwiede creates two worlds. In Deliverance, the members all have a power called psi – a form of telekinesis that allows them mentally to move and manipulate objects. This privileged society contrasts sharply with the other world called Powerless Colony. Taemon finds himself between two worlds when he loses one power and has to hide that fact; while he discovers another, he is not sure he wants to share. Freakling is the first of the Psi Trilogy and readers now can be quickly guided to Archon – the second book in the series.

- Michael Ford, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Intermediate Fiction Honor:
Lorenzi, Natalie Dias. (2012). Flying the Dragon. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.

Natalie Dias Lorenzi’s Flying the Dragon is told from the points of view of the two co-protagonists, Skye (Sorano) and Hiroshi. Although they are first cousins, they meet for the first time when Hiroshi and his family move from Japan to Virginia so their grandfather can receive cancer treatment. American-born Skye knows little about her Japanese heritage and resents having to give up soccer in order to attend a language school on weekends so that she can communicate with her Japanese family. Hiroshi, who struggles to learn English and to fit in with his American classmates, finds great satisfaction in spending time with his beloved grandfather and flying their dragon kite.  Both cousins resent each other and vie for their grandfather’s affections. Is it possible for them to ever find common ground?

- Terrell A. Young, Brigham Young University

Intermediate Nonfiction Winner:
Doyle, James. (2012). A Young Scientist’s Guide to Defying Disasters With Skill and Daring. Illus. by Andrew Brozyna. Layton, UT: Gibbs Smith.

Interesting facts and survival tips for natural catastrophes, weather phenomena, and dreadful beasts that young scientists might encounter are presented in short chapters. A humorous undertone blends well with riveting details to make brief expository articles students will clamor to read. Between sections, experiments related to the topic are quickly explained. Each experiment could be easily conducted at home or school with everyday materials.

- Lauren Aimonette Liang, University of Utah

Young Adult Fiction Winner:
McNamara, Amy. (2012). Lovely, Dark and Deep. New York: Simon and Schuster.

After a tragic car accident leaves her boyfriend dead and her world upside down, Wren retreats to the safety of her father’s home, secluded in the Maine woods. Seeking escape from overwhelming sadness and guilt, Wren isolates herself from everyone and everything, until she meets Cal Owen. Cal has his own issue, increasingly debilitating multiple sclerosis. At first, their connection is based upon their personal experiences with grief and loss. As time goes by, Wren must decide whether to remain imprisoned within her solitude or risk the vulnerability that accompanies building a relationship with Cal. McNamara paints an honest picture of the reality of bereavement through lyrical, poetic prose. Told in first person, one can’t help being drawn into Wren’s world, hopeful she will find a way out of her self-imposed prison, yet terrified if she tries. Beautifully written with well-developed characters and a compelling story, this novel is truly as its title describes: lovely, dark and deep.

- Kelly Killorn, Minnesota State University- Mankato

Young Adult Fiction Honor:
Arcos, Carrie. (2012). Out of Reach. New York: Simon Pulse.

How do you save someone who doesn’t want to be saved? Rachel grapples with this question after she receives an anonymous email that her brother, Micah, is in trouble. Lost to the world of drug addiction, Micah has not responded to intervention attempts, and now he is living in the streets of Ocean Beach. Rachel and Tyler, Micah’s friend whom Rachel doesn’t entirely trust, decide to find him and bring him home, but their search yields no results. In the end, Rachel must learn to let go of her brother; but in her search for Micah, she has found a new friend.

- Sue Corbin, Shaker Heights Middle School, Shaker Heights, Ohio

Young Adult Fiction Honor:
Kokie, E.M. (2012). Personal Effects. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

The search for a brother forms the heart E.M. Kokie’s realistic fiction novel Personal Effects. Seventeen year old Matt Foster goes on a journey to learn more about his brother TJ recently killed in Iraq. As he copes with grief, Matt grows frustrated by events at school and home. His questions about TJ intensify when he uncovers personal effects returned to the family after TJ’s death. Those clues lead Matt from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin where he finds another family obviously important in his brother’s life. The discovery forces Matt to look closely at his views of war and peace, racial and sexual identity, love and loss. This compelling character and his amazing journey will challenge readers and should provoke conversations about important contemporary issues.

- Michael Ford, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Young Adult Nonfiction Winner:
Levinson, Cynthia. (2012). We've Got a Job: The 1963 Birmingham Children’s March. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree.

Audrey, James, Wash and Arnetta, alongside thousands of other young people, braved angry pedestrians, fire hoses, attack dogs, and even jail as they changed history marching for their freedom.  Through their experiences, eyewitness accounts, and historical documents, Levinson weaves together the story of the 1963 Children’s March to end segregation in Birmingham, Alabama. Photographs bring faces to the participants and the opposition they encountered while textboxes and timelines help contextualize events surrounding the march. The book concludes with a map of routes taken by the marchers, an afterword with additional information about many of the children featured in the book, and a bibliography of nonfiction books, websites, and other texts for further study.

- Dawan Coombs, Brigham Young University

These reviews were submitted by members of the International Reading Association's 2012-13 Children’s and Young Adult Book Award Committee. More reviews of recent, outstanding children’s and young adult literature are published weekly on Reading Today Online by members of the Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG).

Books that allow readers to see themselves and the ways they think and live are often popular with young readers since it’s important for them to figure out all the ways that they can be true to themselves. It’s vital that books feature individuals just like them as well as others who are quite different from them. As what they know of the world becomes larger, it’s increasingly important for young readers to read books that highlight the ways in which they are alike and different from individuals from across the globe. The best multicultural books allow readers to stretch the borders of their world, providing passports to fascinating places and ways of living as well as offering insight into how someone right next door or someone thousands of miles away may think and live. By identifying commonalities and celebrating differences, these multicultural books foster understanding. ReadWriteThink offers a wide range of lesson plan ideas and activities dealing with diversity and the use of multicultural books for all grade levels.

GRADES K-3

Bates, Katharine Lee. (2013). America, the Beautiful: Together we stand. Orchard Books.

Ten American artists pay tribute to the beloved patriotic song "America the Beautiful" in this lovely picture book. Several distinctive artistic interpretations of the song’s lyrics and their connections to this nation are woven into the title through the illustrations of Bryan Collier, Raul Colon, Diane Goode, Mary Grandpre, John Hendrix, Yuyi Morales, Jon J. Muth, LeUyen Pham, Sonia Lynn Sadler, and Chris Soentpiet. It's interesting to compare and contrast the images as well as the lyrics that accompany them. Additionally, inspiring presidential quotes from Thomas Jefferson, Barack Obama, George Washington, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Theodore Roosevelt, among others, are included. Back matter provides additional information about the national symbols, one of which is included on every double-page spread. Providing a fresh perspective on history, this picture book reminds readers of the bonds that unite the inhabitants of this diverse country. Chris Soentpiet is the speaker at the Book and Author Luncheon at the 2013 IRA Annual Convention in San Antonio. Read more about him on Reading Today Online and the Engage blog.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

The Global Fund for Children. (2013). Global baby girls. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.

The Global Fund for Children has produced several wonderful books for young children including Global Babies in 2006 and American Babies in 2010. This new addition to the series focuses on girls around the world. Full color photographs with baby girls in their native clothing present an emphasis on what girls can do. From countries as diverse as Russia, New Zealand, Liberia, India, Peru, France, China, Guatemala, Canada and the United States, the world of the importance of young girls is visually brought to our youngest readers through this beautifully presented board book. Learn more about The Global Fund for Children and see some of the internal art for this book at their website.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Jiang, Ji-li. (2013). Red kite, blue kite. Illus. by Greg Ruth. New York: Disney/Hyperion Books.

From the author of the critically acclaimed, Red Scarf Girl, the memoir of her own experience surviving the Cultural Revolution in China, author Ji-Li Jiang brings a picture-book story of young Tai Shan and his father during this same time period. They have enjoyed flying their kites together at every opportunity until the time when the men in red armbands come and take father away to a labor camp. Tai Shan is sent to live with Granny Wang, but Baba has devised a kite-flying code for Tai Shan so they can send messages through their red and blue kites. Each day Tai Shan waits so see his father’s kite soaring high, letting his son know that he continues to be safe in the labor camp. A scary time comes for Tai when the kite is no longer flying. The watercolor illustrations of Greg Ruth provide a colorful backdrop to this story as the red and blue of the kites represent hope throughout this story. The author has provided historical notes at the end.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

MacLachlan, Patricia. (2013). Nora’s chicks. Illus. by Kathryn Brown. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Based on the author’s grandmother’s immigrant experience, award-winning author Patricia MacLachlan writes about the new life for Nora and her family as they arrive from Russia to the American prairie. Nora and her younger brother Milo are having a tough time adjusting to their new life. Papa is busy with the farm and getting their new life and farm settled into American life. The stray dog that wanders into the farm seems to like Milo better than Nora. Papa brings home ten chicks and two geese, thinking more of eggs and a possible dinner or two, and they become Nora’s responsibility. She immediately takes on the care of her new animal friends and they follow her everywhere … even to church. She begs Papa to let her keep them because they are just too beautiful to eat. Through her funny little entourage, Nora gains the friendship of a young neighbor girl, Susannah. Brown’s watercolor illustrations bring out the dusty colors of the prairie but also the beauty of the Russian background of the main characters. Through slight text and enjoyable illustrations young readers will get a sense of early life on the American prairie through the eyes of the immigrant experience. Read an interview with the award-winning author about this book at the blog, Two Writing Teachers.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Mora, Pat. (2012). The beautiful lady: Our Lady of Guadalupe. Illus. by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher. New York: Knopf.

Although this religious story has been told many times, author Pat Mora and illustrators Johnson and Fancher put a beautiful new touch to the age-old story. This fresh approach opens as two little girls are looking at a statue of the Virgin Mary and ask, “Who is that pretty lady?” Grandma Lupita becomes the storyteller to relive the spiritual appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe who appears to the Mexican villager, Juan Diego, in the year 1531. She asks Juan to speak to the bishop and ask that he build her a church. The bishop is doubtful and asks for proof of the lady’s request. When Juan Diego shows the bishop the roses that are blooming through the snow and the Lady’s image embedded onto his cloak the bishop is convinced. Mora has included a detailed author’s note about this moment in religious history and the influence of the Lady of Guadalupe today. Author Pat Mora’s website, Bookjoy, has numerous activities and background information to use with this book.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Seto, Loretta. (2013). Mooncakes. Illus. by Renee Benoit. Victoria, BC: Orca Book Publishers.

A young girl and her family share simple family traditions while celebrating the Chinese Moon Festival. As they enjoy treats typically associated with the special day, including mooncakes and tea poured from an elegant tea spout, life seems to slow down long enough for all three of them to savor these special moments spent together. As often happens during family gathers, her parents tell three different traditional tales about the moon. At the conclusion of each story, the child peers at the moon to see the characters featured, for instance, the jade rabbit. This simple story features evocative language while noting how the family eats the mooncakes that are "round like the moon. They make a circle for me and Mama and Baba" (unpaged) as they peer up into the night sky together. The illustrations are filled with scenes of quiet celebration and soft colors.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Shewchuk, Pat. (2013). In Lucia’s neighborhood. Illus. by Marek Colek. Toronto, Ontario, CA: Kids Can Press.

Teachers looking for books that share the neighborhood atmosphere, this book along with the short animated film it is based on (Montrose Avenue, 2006) will find this book helpful. Based on Little Portugal in Toronto, Canada, Lucia’s grandmother tells her about Jane Jacobs, an urban planner and environmental activist whose opening quote sets the tone for the book, “The ballet of the good city sidewalk never repeats itself from place to place, and in any one place is always replete with new improvisations.”  Though teachers will have to prepare to explain and work with this quote it does guide the tour that Lucia takes readers on as she introduces all the aspects of her neighborhood. Digitally rendered illustrations reflect all the activity throughout Lucia’s environs. Teachers will enjoy The Very Hungy Bookworm blog that highlights this book on the Cultural Diversity Saturday feature or learn more about the film Montrose Avenue.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Snyder, Laurel. (2013). The longest night: A Passover story. Illus. by Catia Chien. New York: Schwartz & Wade.

Narrated through rhyming text in the voice of a young slave girl child and illustrated with dark acrylic paintings, the story of Passover is told for young readers. In an author’s note, Snyder explains that she always wondered what the children were doing during this time of the Jews enslaved in Egypt 3500 years ago. From that wondering, she wrote her representation of how she thinks their Exodus transpired. The young girl featured in the story begins with the drudgery her life is entrenched with in carrying stone to build other people’s homes. Then the 10 plagues arrive and her life begins to change as the Jews escape the results of plague, frogs, fleas, illness to first-born children, and other disasters that were befalling the non-Jews of Egypt. As she and her mother flee through the sea that has split into two, they are elated to find their freedom. This beautiful picture book presents the Exodus from Egypt that young children can understand. Read an interview with the author about writing this book.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Stier, Catherine. (2013). Welcome to America, Champ! Illus. by Doris Ettlinger. Ann Arbor, MI: Sleeping Bear Press.

As WWII ends Thomas, his mother, and his new baby brother leave their home in England to join his new family in the United States. Thomas's stepfather is a soldier, and while Thomas looks forward to his new life in Chicago, he is anxious about what things will be like in his new school and new home. Before leaving his familiar surroundings, he questions his stepfather about what things are like in the United States, and takes notes on scraps of paper to help him navigate a new world. While he draws strength from the notes, he also helps encourage an anxious young fellow passenger with a special gift that has given him encouragement. The softly-colored illustrations and inviting text pay tribute to war brides and their families and the sacrifices they made in coming to America. Young readers will quickly identify with Thomas’s mingled fears and excitement as they realize that moving to a new country offers challenges as well as hope for the future. Although readers may know about the existence of war brides, they are unlikely to realize that there were so many of them and that the movement of these women to their new homes was known as "Operation Diaper Run." Filled with colorful illustrations and text, the book effectively evokes the particular time when citizens across the world celebrated the end of a bloody war. That universal feeling of hope pulses through this title.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Thong, Roseanne. (2013). Round is a tortilla: A book of shapes. Illus. by John Parra. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.

Primary teachers that like to use picture books to teach early elements of geometry and want to thread a multicultural element into their math classrooms will appreciate this book. Beginning with “Round are sombreros./ Round is the moon./ Round are the trumpets/ that blare out a tune” (p.1) the rhyming text continues to point out things in a child’s life that take on various shapes. After several pages of one shape, the concluding page asks, “I can name more round things. Can you?” (p.5) The next shape is square, then rectangle, on to triangles, ovals and stars. For each shape, Spanish words are embedded in the narrative and illustrator John Parra’s illustrations offer vibrant pictures of Hispanic culture. Visit the author’s website for other things this multicultural author has written.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Tonatiuh, Duncan. (2013). Pancho Rabbit and the coyote: A migrant’s tale. New York: Abrams.

Young Pancho Rabbit cannot wait for his father's return from his work in the fields, and when he doesn't arrive on the expected date, he sets off to find him. He meets a coyote who offers to help him, but he must give the coyote and others along the route everything he has. After crossing the desert, Pancho has nothing else to offer the greedy coyote. Just as the animal advances on Pancho, his Papa arrives. The hand-drawn, digitally collaged illustrations are likely to appeal to the eyes of young readers, who will quickly recognize that the story is an allegory for the frequent traffic across the border between Mexico and the United States as men, women, and children rely on coyotes for aid in their crossing as they seek economic opportunities. The back matter details the numbers of immigrants from the country’s southern border and the difficulties experienced by the families left behind. This picture book is sure to open the eyes of many to their plight and possibly serve as food for discussion.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Wade, Mary Dodson. (2013). No year of the cat. Illus. by Nicole Wong. Ann Arbor, MI: Sleeping Bear Press.

The emperor is troubled by the fact that people cannot remember the years, especially the years of great events. He comes up with an idea to have a race. “The first twelve animals to cross the great river will each have a year named for them. With the years so named, we can remember when auspicious events occurred” (p.5). And so the race is on. Knowing that they are smaller and weaker and stand no chance of swimming across the river, Rat and Cat convince Ox to carry them on his back. As the water rushes past, Rat shoves Cat off, and when they reach the far shore, Rat jumps from Ox and is the first to win the race. Ox becomes the next to finish, followed by Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Horse, Monkey, Rooster, Sheep, Dog, and Pig. When Cat comes running up to find where he placed, the Emperor tells him he did not finish in time. From that time on, cats have never trusted rats and take every opportunity to catch them! This is one of many variants of an ancient Chinese tale. Enjoy a detailed teaching guide for this book at the publisher’s website.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Yamasaki, Katie. (2013). Fish for Jimmy: Inspired by one family’s experience in a Japanese American internment camp. New York: Holiday House.

Based on this debut author/illustrator’s family experience, this moving picture book relates the story of one family’s internment as Japanese Americans at a camp in Colorado during World War II. After the Japanese attack on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Taro’s father is taken away for questioning by the FBI. Taro, his mother, and his younger brother Jimmy are sent to the internment camp for imprisonment. Jimmy is despondent and will not eat. Everything is so different in the camp and he misses his father. Taro comes up with a plan to help his brother. Through vivid stylistic acrylic illustrations, young readers will watch Taro sneak his mother’s scissors into a scarf, and stealthily avoid the camp guards and spotlights, to cut a hole in the barbed wire fence and escape. Searching in a dark forest that he does not know, he comes upon a stream and is able to catch some fish. Returning to camp the same way, he gives his mother the fish to cook for Jimmy just the way they had eaten when they were together as a family before the war. An author’s note at the end gives details of her family’s experience at the Granada Relocation Center in Colorado that includes archival photographs of the period. Visit the author’s website to view some of her beautiful murals and other artwork.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

GRADES 4-5

Farhana, Zia. (2013). The garden of my Imam. Atlanta: Peachtree Publishers.

Fifth grader Aliyah loves her family and her religion, but she feels too uncomfortable about her own place in the school's pecking order to embrace openly her Muslim faith and cultural identity. In fact, when the school principal suggests that she befriend Marwa, a new girl from Morocco who is also Muslim, she avoids the girl as much as possible. Over time, though, as she works on a project for her religion class and watches how comfortable Marwa is with her own self-identity, Aliyah begins to speak up for herself and her beliefs, taking risks and embracing the possibilities that come her way. She experiences bullying and prejudice in all sorts of forms, from an adult shouting ethnic slurs at her mother for almost causing an accident to classmates who seem only to see the hijab worn by Marwa and not the girl beneath the scarf to those who lump all Muslims together. Certain to prompt healthy discussions about the dilemmas faced by Aliyah and Marwa, this title provides an honest approach to issues that many boys and girls Aliyah's age must face. Despite the serious nature of the issues, the book also contains many humorous passages.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Moss, Marissa. (2103). Barbed wire baseball. Illus. by Yuko Shimizu. New York: Abrams.

This inspiring story of bravery and perseverance highlights the determination of one man to find a way to endure his internment in a camp during WWII. As in the case for 100,000 American citizens of Japanese descent, Kenichi (Zeni) Zenimura and his family are imprisoned because the United States government feared that they would spy for Japan. This book describes how the baseball-loving Zeni makes the best of an impossible situation, and painstakingly builds a baseball field inside the internment camp in Gila River, Arizona. His careful attention to detail as he removes rocks from the field, levels the field, and plants seeds to cover the infield are vivid examples of how much Zeni loves the game and its ability to transcend barriers. By the time readers reach the final pages of the book, they will be cheering alongside all the interned citizens inside the camp's barriers. The text will engage readers while the illustrations, created with a Japanese calligraphy brush and ink and then scanned and colored with Adobe Photoshop, highlight the whole community’s involvement in one man's project. Pair this title with Baseball Saved Us (1995, Lee and Low) by Ken Mochizuki and So Far from the Sea (1998, Clarion) by Eve Bunting. Young readers will enjoy seeing three photographs of the diminutive Zeni, one taken next to the massive Babe Ruth, and learning the story behind this story. While small in stature, this man clearly was much larger than life. Read more about author Marissa Moss in "Bringing the 'Story' Back Into 'History'" on the Engage blog.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Whelan, Gloria. (2013). In Andal's house. Ann Arbor, MI: Sleeping Bear Press.

The best student in his class in Gujarat, India, Kumar is excited to be invited to watch the fireworks for Dijali at his classmate Andal's house. But once he arrives, his friend’s grandmother refuses to let him stay because his family is considered one of the untouchables. Kumar is understandably disappointed and upset, and his enjoyment of the sights, sounds, and tastes of the festivities is spoiled because of this slight. His grandfather provides a glimpse of hope, though, as he reminds Kumar of the progress that the nation has already made toward equity and his expectations that it will continue to make because of changing attitudes. Back matter includes a glossary of unfamiliar terms. The richly-hued illustrations almost exude the scent and taste of the foods and the sounds of the busy street. Books for children that address economic and social class inequities are rare to find, making this one an excellent addition to the class library. For more about this author, read "5 Questions With...Gloria Whelan" on the Engage blog.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Wolf, Gita. (2013). The enduring ark. Illus. by Joydeb Chitrakar. Chennai, India: Tara Books.

Classical tales bring messages of hope to readers. This book presents the biblical tale of the great flood in a unique manner. The illustrations are rendered in the traditional Patua style of scroll painting from Bengal, and the book’s pages are folded in accordion style. As the story unfolds, fold by fold, readers see how the harmony intended by God during creation was changed by human behavior. One night, in a dream, Noah and Na’mah receive directions from God who tells them to first build a big, strong ark that will see them through the flood. They then fill the boat with a male and a female of all sorts of animals that live on land, water, and air. After a harrowing journey, they finally find the new land. Strong, colorful pictures and the unfolding pages provide a unique reading experience for readers. This is a great gift and unique addition to school and personal libraries.

- Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

GRADES 6-8

Barrow, Randi. (2013). Finding Zasha. New York: Scholastic.

Twelve-year-old Ivan Savicheva and his mother have no choice but to take separate paths from their home in Leningrad in 1941. The Germans' continual bombing and blockade of the city have caused much food deprivation. When his mother is sent to another location to continue her factory work, Ivan cannot go with her and travels to his uncle's farm. Before he can reach the rural area, though, he stays with the family of his former neighbor and becomes involved in the partisan movement to fight against the Nazis. A chance encounter with Axel Recht, a cruel Nazi officer, and his two German shepherd puppies provides Ivan with the opportunity to spy on the Nazis. As he grows more attached to the puppies, Thor and Zasha, he hatches a plan to steal them from Recht. The author does a great job of capturing Ivan's experiences and describing little-known aspects of WWII from the point of view of the Russians. Readers will be able to feel the softness of the puppies’ fur as well as flinch from the sting of Recht's whip, wince at the puppies' initial training experience, savor the fresh vegetables Ivan and his new friends enjoy in the countryside, and dread Recht's promised revenge. Fans of Saving Zascha (Scholastic, 2011) will love this one, its prequel.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

James, Helen Foster & Virginia Shin-Mui Loh. (2013). Paper Son: Lee’s journey to America. Illus. by Wilson Ong. Ann Arbor, MI: Sleeping Bear Press.

From the publisher’s Tales of Young Americans series, set in 1926, this is the story of orphaned Wang Lee. The twelve-year-old boy is living with his grandparents in rural China. His parents were killed by bandits just as they were making arrangements for their son to go to America on a “paper son slot” to find a better life. This meant they had purchased immigration papers from people already in America stating that they were related and so his new paper son name became Fu Lee. To get into the new land, the Gum Saan (Gold Mountain), Fu Lee had to be able to pass the entrance requirements at Angel Island, the immigration center in San Francisco for West Coast arrivals in the U.S. Fu Lee was studying his coaching book so that he would be prepared for the difficult examination from the immigration officials. This story is based on actual historical events and the concept of these young Chinese immigrants entering the U.S., spending time on Angel Island and meeting other new immigrants until finding their new life. Wilson Ong’s paintings add a beautiful and authentic background to the story. The author has included historical notes at the end and recommends the Angel Island Immigration Station, now a National Historic Landmark, for further information.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

GRADES 9-12

Doeden, Matt. (2013). A marked man: The assassination of Malcolm X. Minneapolis:Twenty-first Century Books/ Lerner Publisher.

The life and death of civil rights leader, Malcolm X, has been shrouded with mixed reactions from groups of many different opinions and outlooks toward the 1960s era of civil rights. The first part of the book provides a biographical look at Malcolm Little and the circumstances of his troubled youth. While in prison, he learned about the Nation of Islam and became a follower. After his release he had changed from his more violent approach to civil rights and thus spoke out against the ways and means of the Nation of Islam. A charismatic speaker, Malcolm had followers listening to his new philosophy with interest, though Malcolm knew this put him in a dangerous position to speak against the NOI. The second part of the book explains what happened after his assassination on February 21, 1965, including the arrests of three men responsible, the court proceedings and consequent prison sentences but also goes on to ask many of the unanswered questions that seemed to surround this murder case. There were and continue to be questions concerning conspiracies and cover-ups from the police, investigators and other organizations to remain unanswered. Pair this book with Walter Dean Myer’s picture book biography, Malcolm X; A Fire Burning Brightly (HarperCollins, 2000) to introduce this civil rights leader.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Padian, Maria. (2013). Out of nowhere. New York: Knopf.

Based on a real event, the story opens with Tom Bouchard’s senior year at Maquoit High School in Enniston, Maine. Tom is enjoying his life as captain of the soccer team, having a hot girlfriend and in great standing with grades and opportunities for college. In the meantime, Enniston has become a “secondary migration” location for Somali refugee families. Through a series of events including Tom’s sentenced community service at the local community center he becomes a tutor for some of the new Somali students. He gets to know Saeed and recruits him for the soccer team where he quickly discovers Saeed’s amazing soccer talents. Very soon after the soccer team launches into an outstanding season complete with the fan following and media attention. However, not everyone in the community is pleased to see the Somali players get this praise, and consequently, the racism and prejudices that have been lurking beneath still waters flood into the public arena. Read about the background to this fact-based novel and how the author was inspired to write about this actual incident in Lewiston, Maine.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

These reviews are submitted by members of the International Reading Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) and are published weekly on Reading Today Online. The International Reading Association partners with the National Council of Teachers of English and Verizon Thinkfinity to produce ReadWriteThink.org, a website devoted to providing literacy instruction and interactive resources for grades K–12.