Secrets in Stone - Laurie Coulter

All About Maya Hieroglyphs
Illustrations by Sarah Jane English
2001, Little Brown, out-of-print
will be reissued by Black Walnut/Madison Press
March, 2010 in paper at $8.95
48 pgs.
Rating: 4
for: school-age kids
Endpapers: front: glossy crimson, back: "Glyphmaster" (see below)

This is a nonfiction account of how Maya hieroglyphs were finally deciphered - and it lookes like it wasn't until 1973 that the best breakthrough came! Fascinating information about ancient Maya culture is intersperced with the account of centuries of history of the "codebreakers" of the Maya hieroglyphs.

If you think you're going to walk away with an understanding of this intensely complicated writing, you're probably wrong. But fascinated you will be! I can't imagine learning to read these. Wow. But if you have a love of history, of the past, of archeology, or mysterious cultures still being "discovered", this will be a fascinating read.

The "Glyphmaster" at the back of the book is a series of embossed glyphs that can be lightly rubbed with pencil and paper to create names, etc. They're great for copying freehand with so many possiblilities for fun projects! Enjoy

The Day-Glo Brothers - Chris Barton

The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors
Illustrated by Tony Persiani
Charlesbridge, 2009
40 pgs.
$18.95
Rating: 4.5
For: School age kids, a perfect first biography or nonfiction for reluctant nonfiction readers.
Note: The Day-Glo colors on the actual cover really "glow", much more than they appear to on this picture.....

As I read this book, I was totally thinking like a teacher - this would definitely be a great model for biography writing. It tells the story of how two brothers went from wanting to be a doctor and a magician/performer to becoming the inventors of day-glo colors and paint. Born in 1914 and 1915, their invention particularly impacted World War II. Though full of details (theirs is a fascinating story), it's not so overly detailed that it becomes dry and/or uninteresting. So many people are not nonfiction readers. This is a great way to read nonfiction.

The illustrations are quite uniqes. Cartoon-like, they begin in grayscale with light shades of orange, yellow, green here and there. As the brothers begin experimenting with fluorescence, the colors become deeper and deeper, although grays still predominate - until the last page has a black background. I really like the overall look and concept of the book.

At the end I was not disappo9inted with the afterwords. "How Does Regular Fluorenscence Work? "How Does Daylight Fluorescence Work?" and a great two-page "Author's Note" gave me the satisfaction I needed. I think I'm going to compile a list of books with great author's notes. I'm such a list person!

A picture book packed with facts and interesting to read. What more could you want in nonfiction? Perfect for me!

Read the original New York Times obituary that started author Chris Barton's interest and research here.

The Monarch's Progress - Avis Harley

Poetry
Poems with Wings
Wordsong, 2008
$16.95
32 pgs.
Rating: 3
Endpapers: Monarch orange

Different types of poetry (acrostic, limerick, couplet, concrete, haiku, triplet) create the forms for 18 poems about the life span of a monarch butterfly. Accompanying illustrations (by the poet) are simple, bright, and reveal more about the subject, as well as notes at the end that give more scientific information about each poem.

She cleverly uses ACROSTIC well, a great model to show kids:

Monarch Beginnings

No bigger than the head of a pin, though
Enough to house a lodger within. Oh!
What a drama about to begin!

Exquisite gem on a milkweed leaf – your
Gorgeous shell-life is all too brief, for
Growing inside is a caterpillar thief…

I really enjoyed this abecedarian poem, really well-done!:

Wintering Over

Amazing
Blazing
Clusters
Decorate
Entire
Forest
Groves.


Hanging
In
Jeweled
Kingdoms
Like
Magnificent
Native
Ornaments,
Patterns
Quicken
Remote
Slopes.

This
Unique,
Velvet-
Winged
X-odus
Yields
Zillions.

All the World - Liz Garton Scanlon

Illustrated by Marla Frazee
Beach Lane Books, 2009
$17.99
40 pgs.
Rating: 5
Endpapers: light lime
2010 Caldecott Honor Book!

"Rock, Stone, pebble, sand
Body, shoulder arm, hand,
A moat to dig,
A shell to keep
All the world is wide and deep."

Simple and lovely, this gentle picture book shows a couple of families....from the beach in summer, to a farmer's market, climbing trees and in downpours, eating out and settling cozily in -- family members from young to old. Wonderful illustrations, some full page, some like little vignettes, tell so much. Hunt and look closely. There's so much to see!

"All the world is you and me
Everything you hear, smell, see
Hope and peace and love and trust
All the world is all of us."

See also: Twenty by Jenny Review.

63. Miss Daisy is Crazy! Dan Gutman

My Weird School SERIES #1
Illustrated by Jim Paillot
Harper Trophy, 2004
Funny - 2nd grade protagonist
ages 7-10, 700 Lexile, L

Miss Daisy, the second grade teacher, says she can't read, do math, or even know the presidents. (NOTE: She's a very wise teacher!!) She gets the school reading a million pages so they can "rent" the school for a night to play video games. She gets a famous football player to come to visit to prove that football players aren't "dumb." Funny and clever - loved it. (Bought it for Ashley, who's just started 2nd grade.)

12-29-2012 Ella and I just read this book together.  She read some, I read some.  She's in first grade.  She had to be told a little about some of the humor, but totally enjoyed it.  So did I!)

For a list of the books in the series, look here.

Button Up! - Alice Schertle

Poetry
Wrinkled Rhymes
Illustrated by Petra Mathers
Harcourt Children's, 2009
$16.00
40 pgs.
Rating: 4
Endpapers: Mouse looking up at purple butterflies

Clever poet Alice Schertle tells us about Bertie's Shoelaces, Violet's Hiking Hat, the Song of Harvey's Galoshes, Emily's Undies, Jennifer's Shoes, Tanya's Old T-Shirt, Wanda's Swimsuit, Jack's Soccer Jersey, Jamelia's Dress-up Clothes, Rick's Wool Sweater, and Bill's Blue Jacket.

Bob’s Bicycle Helmet

Bob’s on his bicycle
and I’m on Bob.
I’m Bob’s helmet.
I’m on the job.

Bob burns rubber
Bob climbs hills.
Bob does wheelies.
Bob takes spills.

Bob skins his elbow.
Bob scrapes his knee.
Bob doesn’t hurt his head ---
Bob’s got me.

And if some day
the sky should fall
it will not hurt
Bob’s head at all.

Bob’s on his bike again.
I’m on Bob.
I’ve got him covered.
I’m on the job.

Hand-Me-Down Sweatshirt

I’m a hand-me-down sweatshirt
with zipper and hood.
I’m everyone’s favorite
and still looking good.

I’ve been lost and recovered
been torn and been sewn,
been dribbled on, tumbled in,
rained on and blown.

I started out Wendell’s,
was passed down to May,
she passed me to Karly,
I’m Andrew’s today.

So zip up my zipper
and pull up my hood.
I’m a friend of the family
and still looking good.

I Heard It from Alice Zucchini - Juanita Havill

POETRY
Poems about the Garden
Illustrated by Christine Davinier
2006
$15.95
Rating: 4
Endpapers: Garden, shed, tree, pen and ink with watercolor washes

Twenty clever poems about growing things -- using fabulous words and all sorts of literary pluses - alliteration, personification, punctuation of every kinds......take a look and see:

Carrots

What does a carrot know,
smothered in dirt below?

Songs of worms,
tap-tapping rains,
the smell of earth,
and growing pains.

What else does a carrot know,
alone in the dark, below?

Sound of boots,
thud of hoe,
a gentle tug ---
it’s time to go.

Garden Lullaby

Sudden hush when the sun goes down.
Night in the garden and the soothing sound
of crickets chirping lullabies.

Sweet dreams, little peas, ten to a pod.
Good night, radishes, tucked under sod.
Gone are the bees and butterflies.

Heads of lettuce wilted by sun
recuperate when the day is done.
Closed are all the potatoes’ eyes.

Tomatoes snooze and eggplants doze.
All is still while the moonlight glows
save crickets chirping lullabies.

Instructions

Plant seeds early in the spring
when the ground is warm,
two inches deep in well-tilled soil
where they’ll be safe from harm.

Let the sun and rain pour down.
Be careful where you hoe.
A miracle is taking place;
Seeds split and start to grow.

Otis - Loren Long

Philomel/Penguin, 2009
$17.99
40 pgs.
for: preschoolers
Rating: 4.5
Endpapers: Otis coming (front) and going (back)

Otis is an old tractor who loves his farm and loves his life. One day the farmer brings a young calf into his barn, and they become fast friends. When the farmer buys a shiny new yellow tractor, Otis is relegated tot he puckerbrush behind the barn. His calf friend misses him, wandering the farm alone. When he gets stuck in the mud pond he sinks deeper and deeper with different attempts to unstick him until -- Otis the hero arrives.

This seems to be the kindo f book that would become a favorite. The illustrations are great - shades of brownish grays with red (Otis) and yellow (the new tractor), and bordered with a thick line. Even the font (15.5-point Engine) is just different enough to help the book become more of a standout. Such charisma and innocense on the faces of the two protagonists!

Is it anthropormorphic if a tractor behaves with human attributes? I'm going to sa so for listing purposes....

Here's a blog review from A Year of Reading.

The Jungle Grapevine - Alex Beard

for: Kids who love intelligent vocabulary (quench, drought, bellowed, slithered, distress, ruckus, prowl.....)
Abrams, 2009
$16.95
40 pgs.
Rating: 5
Endpapers: Map-like drawing of the animals, the watering hole and their relationship to it

An offhand remark by Turtle to Bird begins a series of miscommunications (much like the game of TELEPHONE) somewhere in Africa. See what happens when Gazelle, Hippo, Crocodile, Elephant, Wildebeest, Zebra, Lion, Snake and Flamingos join in. Filled with humor, African animals, alliteration, and great illustrations, this book sure won my heart!

The illustrations and font are different in a really good way - cleverly crafted, the watercolor painting goes to the side edges of the page, but a thick line frames the majority of the illustration. This makes it look like the painting is actually slipping off the page. The font looks like printing. It really works.

There's an interesting author's note at the end.

The Scarecrow's Dance - Jane Yolen

Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Simon & Schuster, 2009
$16.99
32 pgs.
for: young kids
rating: 4/2
Endpapers: Dark orange
Illustrations: Edge of page, no white, gouache and watercolor, lovely



"An autumn eye,
The moon was high,
As yellow as
A black cat's eye.

Out in the field,
Stiff and forlorn,
The scarecrow stood
And watched the corn."

Rhyme and rhythm always enchant me. The wind catches the scarecrow in a huge field, setting him free from his post to whirl and dance in the wind. When he comes to the farmer's house, he peeks into an upstairs bedroom window where a boy is kneeling in prayer - aking for a blessing on the scarecrow that guards his family's cornfields. Realizing his duty, the scarecrow dances back to his pole and reattaches himself.

'"For anyone can dance,"
Thought he,
"But only I
Can keep the fields free."'

The kneeling, clasped hands of the "praying" pages inserted near the end of the dancing, rhythmic story were a bit disconcerting. I think that it would be more universally appealing with a little different direction here. Oh well, can't win 'em all.....

Here's a blog review from Book Aunt.

62. Shiver - Maggie Stievater

for: YA
Scholastic Press, August, 2009
HC $17.99
200 pgs.
Rating: 4.5

MOVIE - My One and Only

Very enjoyable!
Limited realease Aug. 21, 2009
PG-13
9/25 at El Con (alone)
RT: 70% cag: 71%
Director: Richard Loncraine

Renee Zellweger, Kevin Bacon

I hurried to the El Con to see Julie and Julia at 5:05, but I didn't make it there until almost 5:15. I would hate to miss the beginning (I still had to buy popcorn after all), so I went in to see this movie knowing only that it starred Renee Zellweger. I'm glad I didn't know any more than that to jade or shade (or whatever) my viewing. I liked this movie a lot, and I'm glad I didn't have any pre-supposed ideas about it when I sat down with my popcorn.

1953. Ann Devereaux comes home to her high-rise NYC apartment to find her husband, a band leader (like Ricky Ricardo), in an uncompromising position with the singer from his band. She takes her two teenage boys, buys a light blue Cadillac convertible with most of the the money she's taken from their safe deposit box, and leaves town.

Ann loves her boys, but doesn't really "know" them. She's beautiful, but the only life she's known is as the beautiful showpiece for a man who will take care of her, and that's what she goes after, whether it's intentional or not. But, oh, the men she chooses! There are four (I think) different suitors and situations that go from funny to sad to pathetic and even to silly. But, oh, what a ride! George, the younger son, watches what happens to his mother and longs for his old life in New York.

There was a surprise at the end which was delightful. It has been told in a few of the reviews I've skimmed, but it was most fun not to know while watching the movie. It would have definitely changed my "watching attitude".

PLAY - The Kite Runner

Wow. Three thumbs up.
Arizona Theatre Company
Temple of Music and Art
Sept. 23, 2009 with Sheila
My rating: R
Directed by David Ira Goldstein

I've read the book, written by Khaled Hosseini. Loved it. I've seen the movie. Wonderful. And now I've seen the play, screenwritten by Matthew Spangler. Powerful. Leaving the air snapping with electricity, this stage production was wonderfully crafted, gut-wrenching, and quite unforgettable. I felt sorry for the people who had no clue about the story and were unprepared for the enormity of what they were about to see. The two young men who portrayed the two boys, Amir and Hassan, were wonderful. Believable. And always present, narrating the entire play, was the grown-up Amir. I cannot imagine givening this performance each and every day. I was exhausted and wrung out just watching it!

I have a zillion positive things to say, and only two slightly negative. (1 - The two young men playing the leads should have had a curtain call just prior to the lead Amir, not so close to the beginning of the curtain calls. 2 - The scene with Amir praying for the first time in two decades was loud and jarring and too overdone for me. It seemed out of place somehow.)

Cowardice. Guilt. Redemption. Growing into yourself. Growing up. Thanks, Sheila, for a wonderful seat smack dab in the middle of the orchestra section, and a wonderful (if very late)evening.

So Many SERIES Out There!

Suggested series I have not yet read:
Billy B. Brown and Hey Jack , two series by Sally Ripp
(as seen on My Book Boost blog)

I spent a large part of the summer checking out series books, especially the dearth that are now available for beginning chapter book kiddos. Here's a sampling of some that I've either discovered or rediscovered (and I'll be adding more as I get the chance):

Cam Jansen Series
by David Adler
Illustrated by Susanna Natti
(new cover art by Joy Allen)
For: 6-10 year olds
(Reading Levels 2.2-2.7, 480-500 Lexile, Level L, DRA 28)

See listing of books on separate page on this website

Eleanor Series
by Julie Sternberg
Illustrated by Matthew Cordell

See listing of books on separate page on this website.

Field Trip Mysteries
by Steve Brezenoff
Illustrated by C. B. Canga

Four sixth graders, led by Gum (James) Shoo, solve mysteries they stumble upon during field trips.  Although the protagonists are older, this book is highly recommended for beginning chapter book readers as the story, characters, and sentence structure are all pretty simplistic.  Yes, even first and second graders.  There are 20 books in the series as of October, 2017.

1.  The Painting That Wasn't There

Gooney Bird Green Series
by Lois Lowry
Illustrated by Middy Thomas
1.  Gooney Bird Greene
2.  Gooney Bird and the Room Mother
3.  Gooney the Fabulous
4.  Gooney Bird is So Absurd
5.  Gooney Bird on the Map



Ivy and Bean Series
by Annie Barrows
Illustrated by Sophie Blackall
For: 6-9 year olds
(Reading Levels 2.7 - 3.2, Lexiles 510-580, Levels M & N)

See listing of books and comments on separate page of this website.





Judy Moody Series
by Megan McDonald
Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Candlewick
Reading Levels Around 3rd for most

Lots more "stuff" on the Judy Moody page on this website.



Junie B. Jones Series
by Barbara Park
Illustrated by Denise Brunkus
Stepping Stone Books, Random House
for: ages 6-9 (Junie is in K and 1, see below)

Check out the Junie B. Jones page on my website.





Mercy Watson Series
by Kate Di Camillo
Illustrated by Chris VanDusen
Candlewick
(Reading Levels 1.9 - 2.3, Lexiles 380-390 Levels K+)

Go directly to the Mercy Watson page on this blog.

Mouse Scouts
by Sarah Dillard
Alfred A. Knopf
1.  Mouse Scouts (Sow and Grow a Garden)
2.  Mouse Souts Make a Difference
3.  Mouse Scouts Camp Out






My Weird School Series
by Dan Gutman
Illustrated aby Jim Paillot
Harper Trophy
Ages 7-10

Go to this website's separate pag on this great series.

Piper Green and the Fairy Tree SERIES
by Ellen Potter
Illustrated by Qin Leng
Alfred Knopf
2nd - 4th grade

Check out the book titles and more information here.

Sofia Martinez
by Jacqueline Jules
Illustrated by Kim Smith
Picture Window Books
K-2nd grade
(Guided Reading Level K/ 2.2 - 2.5)

In no particular order:
My Secret Recipe
Abuela's Birthday
Picture Perfect
Singing Superstar
The Missing Mouse
The Marigold Mess
Lights Out
The Beach Trip
My Family Adventure



Stink Series
by Megan McDonald
Illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Candlewick
(Reading Levels 2.5 - 3.0, Lexiles 480-580, Levels L, M, N)

Stink has his very own page on this website...





"WHO WAS" Biography Series
Mosey on over to a separate page to view all the titles and further information










Zigzag Kids Series by Patricia Reilly Giff
Illustrated by Alasdair Bright
Wendy Lamb Books, Random House

This looks like Giff's trying to update the Polk Street Kids series with a group of young elementary students (K up) who go to an afternoon program at the Zelda A. Zigzag School in these more contemporary times. Barack Obama as our president is mentioned....

1 - Number One Kid
2 - Big Whopper (about Destiny) 2010
3.  Flying Feet
4.  Star Time
5.  Bears Beware
6.  Super Surprise
7.  Sky High

The Girl's Like Spaghetti - Lynne Truss

Why You Can't Manage without Apostrophes!
Illustrated by Bonnie Timmons
GP Putnams, 2007
$16.99
32 pgs.
Rating: 3 (I really dislike the title)

Lynn Truss says "Every time an apostrophe appears in the right place, the Good Punctuation Fairy is made very, very happy." I LOVE the idea of a GOOD PUNCTUATION FAIRY!

There's a huge difference between:
The dogs like my dad. AND The dog's like my dad.

or

See the boy bat. AND See the boy's bat. AND See the boys' bat. (Illustrations accompany to show the difference visually.)

Those smelly things are my brothers. AND Those smelly things are my brother's.

Illustrations are almost James Stevensons-y.

So many ways to use this in a classroom - make a big deal when an apostrophe is used correctly, create or find your own two "different" sentences, make a class book when there's enough - if brought up enough, kids will really learn!

(And how about pointing out some of the homonyms that kids mix up - from fourth grade all the way up the ladder - and reward them when used correctly. Yup, too/to/two and especially there/their/they're......)