Book of the Day: Flipped

Booklist (December 15, 2001 (Vol. 98, No. 8))


Gr. 5-8. The author of the popular Sammy Keyes mysteries proves herself just as good at writing a charming romance. From the moment seven-year-old Bryce moves into the neighborhood, Julianna is enthralled: "It's his eyes . . . they're dazzling."Bryce, on the other hand, is horrified. In typical second-grade boy fashion, he believes that "All I've ever wanted is for Juli Baker to leave me alone."Six years later, however, the two have flipped: now Bryce is enthralled with Juli's uniqueness, and Juli is repulsed by Bryce's selfish immaturity. Told in alternate chapters from each teen's perspective, this is a wry character study, a romance with substance and subtlety. Juli gradually learns the painful lesson that she must look beyond gorgeous eyes and popularity. Bryce slowly realizes his grandfather's wisdom: "Every once in a while you'll find someone iridescent, and when you do, nothing will ever compare."Both teens realize that standing up for what--and whom--they believe can be a difficult challenge, one faced best with true friends and close family.

Book of the Day: Not Last Night But the Night Before

Not Last Night But the Night Before by Colin McNaughton


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book is perfect for kindergarten. The bouncing rhythm, the repetitive lines, and the review of common nursery rhymes and fairy tales will make is a favorite. I have a student who spend recess I the library each day, she always asks me to read this book. Each day we find more hidden details in the pictures. The crooked picture frames, the flowers that end up scattered across the floor, the final page where all the characters are at a party and we hunt for the characters from each story. I will definitely use in next year while Kindergarten is preparing for their nursery rhyme parade.




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Book of the Day: Rosa Loves to Read

Rosa Loves to Read by Diane Z. Shore


My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is a good Rookie Reader. Rosa is distracted by the loud, busy kids on her street. The first half of the book shows her trying to read while others run, bounce balls, slam doors and so on. She yells QUIET!!!, and the second half of the short story half shows Rosa turning the pages while quiet activities occur around her. The book ends with Rosa stating, “I love to read!” This would be a great book to use to introduce little ones to quiet reading time or to stress the love of reading and reading for enjoyment. The repetitive text make it a perfect choice for beginning readers.




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Book of the Day: We are in a Book

We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Elephant and Piggie are back and as cute as ever. In this addition of their adventures the friends realize that someone, the reader, is watching them and that they are in a book. After laughing hysterically at their ability to make the reader say whatever words they want them to say Elephant realizes that the book will end. What will happen to Elephant and Piggie? Kids will love this book about books. As always Elephant and Piggie speak in short sentence, there are a lot of repetitive words, the words are large, this is great for beginning readers.




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Book of the Day: Princesses are Not Perfect

Princesses Are Not Perfect by Kate Lum


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Princess Allie, Mellie, and Libby are experts in their own ways, they all have their ONE specialty. Princess Allie loves to bake, Princess Libby loves to build things and Princess Mellie loves to garden. They are perfectly happy in their rolls and feel like all is right with the work when they are involved in their work. One day out of the blue they decide to switch places and DISASTER!!! They are awful at the things their sisters are so good at. Picture stirring batter on the floor with a broom, gluing crooked legs onto a sloping chair seat, and chopping down all the blueberry bushes when you are supposed to be picking berries. They are supposed to be preparing for the Summer Party, 100 quests are coming the next day but they are in foul moods all day and night, the princess can’t even sleep. When Princess Allie can’t sleep, what does she do, she bakes, Libby builds and Mellie gardens. When it comes time for the Summer Party will the disaster from the day before wreak havoc on the festivities or will everything be pull together in the end? Read Princess are Not Perfect!




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Book of the Day: Rapunzle's Revenge

Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a fun twist on the Rapunzel story. The graphic novel format will cause it to appeal to more than the usual Fairy Tale, Damsel in Distress crowd. Rapunzel is a fisty and firey character who takes charge of her situation and escapes from her tower by using her long red hair. She journeys into the Wild West where she meets Jack. They travel together as Rapunzle, Punzie, tries to free her real mopther from the dungeons of the Wicked Grothel. On the way the encounter, outlaws, Grothels hunters, and a nuber of wild animals and Rapunzle must save Jack's life more than once. If you like adventure and great stories you will enjoy Rapunzle's Revenge.




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Book of the Day: You Read to Me, I'll Read to You Very Short Fables to Read Together

You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Fables to Read Together by Mary Ann Hoberman


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The lastest in this cute series of partner reading. This book is full of Aesops Fables reworded to rhyme and be read with a partner. Reading like this is fun, great for fluency an a great way to work in Readers Theatre and public performance/speaking. I will enjoy using this with my students.




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Book of the Day: Out of My Mind

Born with cerebral palsy, Melody, 10, has never spoken a word. She is a brilliant fifth grader trapped in an uncontrollable body. Her world is enhanced by insight and intellect, but gypped by physical limitations and misunderstandings. She will never sing or dance, talk on the phone, or whisper secrets to her friends. She's not complaining, though; she's planning and fighting the odds. In her court are family, good neighbors, and an attentive student teacher. Pitted against her is the "normal" world: schools with limited resources, cliquish girls, superficial assumptions, and her own disability. Melody's life is tragically complicated. She is mainly placed in the special-ed classroom where education means being babysat in a room with replayed cartoons and nursery tunes. Her supportive family sets her up with a computer. She learns the strength of thumbs as she taps on a special keyboard that finally lets her "talk." When she is transitioned into the regular classroom, Melody's undeniable contribution enables her class to make it to the national quiz team finals. Then something happens that causes her to miss the finals, and she is devastated by her classmates' actions. Kids will benefit from being introduced to Melody and her gutsy, candid, and compelling story. It speaks volumes and reveals the quiet strength and fortitude it takes to overcome disabilities and the misconceptions that go with them.


-- School Library Journal STARRED REVIEW

I loved this book.  Melody is such a touching character, she helps someone like me who has never had firsthand experience with a serious disability understand the daily struggles and frustrations of her life.  She is brilliant and trapped inside a body that will not do what she wants it to.  The world looks at her and only sees her appearance, her disability, they can't looks past that and see her mind.  This is on next years Bluebonnet List so I hope that is gets a lot of exposure.  I would love to discuss Melody and her classmates with a group of students, Bledsoe may see this as a future Book Club selection.