Staff Picks for Children

“Why do it?” I asked myself.  “Just months ago, you reviewed a book about a dog with a second chance at a happy life (Saving Audie by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent), so why do another so soon?”  “I can’t help it!” was my reply.  “I’ve fallen in love, and people in love can do foolish things.  So there!”

  The object--or should I say, objects--of my affection?  Ten dogs: Bowser the thief, clumsy Penny, Stick the scrounger, terrible Tyke, Cocoa the compulsive digger, EZ the runaway, rowdy Rowdy, nervous Sammy, free-spirited Free, overeager Meemo.  Each of them were either strays or “problem” dogs,  left at shelters and pounds, with slim chances of finding permanant homes, until they were discovered by a remarkable man, Luciano Anastasini.

  Luciano was born into a family with many generations or circus performers; the circus was his life and his home.  When a terrible accident ended his career as an acrobat and high wire artist, he had to come up with another act if he was to have a second chance as a circus performer, to remain in that world he knew and loved.  He imagined a dog act might be just the thing.  But rather than going to a dog breeder or pet store, Luciano searched in places like pounds and shelters, for dogs who needed a second chance as he did, and in whom Luciano could see potential.

  But Luciano was not an animal trainer.  How could he teach his dogs to behave and cooperate with each other in a professional circus act?  He began by taking care of the dogs, watching them, letting them show him what they liked to do, and finding solutions to the problems that affected their behaviors.  He taught the dogs tricks that played to their strengths, and found unique ways to fit each dog into a funny, fast-paced and adorable act.  Luciano Anastasini and His Pound Puppies learned from each other and built trust in each other, with results that have amazed and delighted circus goers and animal lovers alike.

 Simply but beautifully written, Muntean’s narrative is framed in bright, colorful shapes, and enhanced with perfectly charming illustrations by husband-and-wife photographer/ cinematographer team K.C. Bailey and Stephen Kazmierski.  From the forward by prize-winning author Kate DiCamillo, to a sweet, funny letter to the reader by Luciano at the end of the book, it’s satisfying reading from start to finish for a wide range of ages.  As DiCamillo put it so well, "...it is a story of second chances, belief, and love.  Mostly, though, it is a story of the miracles that can occur when we (dog or human) are extended the grace of being well and truly seen by another."

Recommended for ages 4 and up.

This charming book is based on the folk song “The Green Grass Grew All Around”, a cumulative song that grows longer and longer with multiple verses.  The book starts with a hole in the ground which grows a tree, which has a branch, and so on, with “the green grass grew all around, all around, and the green grass grew all around” ending every verse.  Isadora uses rebuses to allow children to help read the story, similar to “The Jacket I Wear in the Snow”, by Shirley Neitzel.  The beautiful and creative illustrations were created using oil paints, printed paper, and palette paper.  At the end of the book is the music for anyone who is not familiar with the song.  Highly recommended for preschool through 2^nd grade.

This story of animal and human spirit healing is set in the beautiful landscape of remote Northern Minnesota.  More than a year after the death of their mother, Nika (age 12) and her younger brother are moved from foster care in California to the care of their father’s estranged brother.  Uncle Ian is a wildlife biologist who researches wolves.  Shortly after Nika’s arrival, she and Uncle Ian stumble across an orphaned wolf pup whose eyes haven’t opened yet.  Nika is instantly drawn to this helpless pup and promises to devote herself to the high maintenance task of saving this pup's life, but what she doesn’t realize is that this emotional journey will rescue her too.  This story appeals to the naturalist in all of us.  Recommended for grades 5-8.

This is one of several notable historical fiction books for young adults written in recent years about the Vietnam War.  In this book, the author, Thanhha Lai, recounts some of her memories of coming to the United States as a child.  Set in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, 10 year old Ha, her mother and three brothers wait years for news of their father who is missing in action.  Finally, on the eve of the fall of Saigon, they flee. They will journey from a tent in Guam to a new life in Alabama. However, building a new life in America is harder than they expected.  Kind local sponsors in Alabama cannot protect Ha and her brothers from sneering and bullying from other locals while Mom struggles with accepting the possibility that her husband is gone forever.  This book in short free verse is poetically loose and gracefully written.  Inside Out & Back Again was winner of a 2011 National Book Award, has many starred reviews, and was selected as a 2012-2013 middle school Read On Wisconsin book.  Recommended for grades 5-8.

Growing up in an isolated Middle Eastern village, sixteen-year-old Baz longs for his chance to become a weaver’s apprentice. His first master is cruel and sells him for a sword. Tadis, a wandering magician, offers him freedom and the opportunity to follow him on a journey to discover truth and wisdom. The challenging trek takes them across deserts, through small villages and up a strange mountain. Tadis speaks in perplexing riddles as they struggle against physical elements and suffer hunger, weakness and exhaustion. Baz learns to better appreciate food and other basic comforts after extreme denial. He learns to realize the truth in Tadis’ simple teachings which reflect Zen and Buddhist beliefs. Symbolic meaning and beautiful lyrical writing in this fable-like story will interest readers who enjoy introspective and thought-provoking works. Recommended for ages 10-14.

This is the second book of the Saranormal Series

This second installment of this paranormal series finds Sara Collins settling into her new home in Stellamar.  Sara has an unusual gift, she can see ghosts and now she is able to communicate with them.  At the end of book one, Ghost Town, Sara finds out that she is not the only one who can see ghosts.  Her landlady, Lady Azura, a fortunate teller, can see spirits and tries to help Sara explore her abilities.  Summer is over and Sara is ready to start school.  She has a vision of meeting a cute stranger and then when school starts she meets him.  His name is Jayden Mendes.  Sara somehow knows that he is destined to be her first boyfriend.  But he has a ghostly companion who stays by his side at all times.  The ghost seems intent on keeping Sara and Jayden apart. Who is this ghost, and what is his problem with Sara? What secrets does Jayden hold—and will these secrets keep Sara from falling in love?

There is another plot twist in the story.  Sara is somehow signed up as a contestant for the election of the Harvest Queen at her school, but she does not want to do it.  A ghost, named Alice, signed her name to the ballot and wants Sara to become the Queen so she can feel like she had won the crown and thus be able to move on.  Sara explores the history of Stellamar and discovers that Alice was a victim of polio and was accused of spreading it to the other children in Stellamar.  One of the humorous scenes of the story is when the Harvest Queen contestants give their speeches, or attempts to give their speeches.  Alice has a part in the performances of these contestants.

The book ends with a happy resolution but raises questions about Jayden's ghost and what the future will bring. What will Sara face in the third book, Mischief Night. 

This is an easy and fun book to read, for those who like ghost stories that are not too scary.  The story moves along quickly and will keep your attention.  I would recommend it for ages 9 – 12, or grades 4-7.

On August 28, 1963, almost 50 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his powerful and iconic “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C.  The “Dream” portion of the stirring speech provides the narrative for this picture book, illustrated with inspired and inspiring paintings by Caldecott Honor Award-winning artist Kadir Nelson.  Nelson includes portraits of Dr. King in the historic Washington setting; idyllic scenes depicting King’s dream of people of different races working, playing and living in harmony, equality and freedom; and a panorama of various mountainsides of the nation where that freedom might ring.  The complete speech is printed in the back of the book.  A bonus feature is a CD with an audio recording of the speech as Dr. King delivered it that day.  Although listening to the voice of this great American leader, and looking at the paintings inspired by him are each great in themselves, it’s wonderful to listen to King’s “Dream” words while reading the text and enjoying Nelson’s artwork all together.   Whether noting Dr. King’s birth month, the 150 anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation (referenced by King in the speech), civil rights, or other topics of national importance; or looking for a good teaching tool for young readers, this book is a great choice.

Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Part of the Touch, Look, and Learn! series, Animals Talk features wonderful single, textured illustrations of animals that make noise. Very young children will enjoy cuddling up to share this book while they feel the raised surfaces in the illustrations and make the fun animals sounds on each page. Try others in this series including Animals Go, Colors, and Counting.

Ages 6 months to 3

"Mission Unstoppable" is the exciting first book in the Genius Files series by Dan Gutman.  Coke and Pepsi are twins who are being chased across the country by people who want to kill them!  In the first chapter alone, the twins are jumping off a cliff to save their lives...you want to know more, don't you? 

This fun series is recommended for grades 5 and up.