Fortunately, the Milk

Fortunately, the Milk 
by Neil Gaiman 
illustrated by Skottie Young 

Upon discovering that his family is out of milk, Dad takes what should be a quick trip to the corner store to get more. His hungry children, anxiously waiting for milk for their breakfast cereal, grow anxious as time passes. Finally, their father returns, disheveled and with a strange tale of a wild adventure that includes being abducted by aliens and encounters with pirates to explain his lengthy absence. 

Full of humor and unlikely adventures, this book was a quick and entertaining read.   Accompanying illustrations added to the humor of this fun, light-hearted book.  


Author's website: http://www.neilgaiman.com/
Book trailer: 

Mr. Wuffles!

Mr. Wuffles!
by David Wiesner

There's something strange about Mr. Wuffles' new toy!   In this almost wordless picture book, a new toy sparks the interest of a picky cat named Mr. Wuffles.  However,  the new object is not really a toy, but a small alien spaceship!   Will the tiny aliens be able to escape the determined Mr. Wuffles? 

David Wiesner uses amazing illustrations to tell the story of Mr. Wuffles and the aliens inside the tiny spaceship.    Readers who enjoy his other wordless picture books, including Flotsam and Tuesday, will love his newest story!

Book trailer:

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild

Mr Tiger Goes Wild
by Peter Brown

Mr. Tiger is bored with always being so proper.    While all of the other animals in town are perfectly fine with being proper all the time, Mr. Tiger just wants to be wild.   Then one day Mr. Tiger goes wild, much to the displeasure of the very proper animals around him.    As his behavior becomes more and more wild, the other animals in town urge him to leave.    Running away to the wilderness, Mr. Tiger enjoys his new freedom, but soon learns that he also misses his old life.   Can Mr. Tiger find a way to live with his old friends but still be a little bit wild?

What a great book!   This funny story is full of wonderful, engaging illustrations that will entertain many.    Readers who like funny animal stories will love this book, especially the fun pictures of different animals dressed up in their "proper" clothing.   

Author's website:  http://www.peterbrownstudio.com/

Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms

Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms
by Lissa Evans

When Stuart Horten's mother is offered a new job, his parents decide to move to the small town where his father group up.    Stuart is not happy about leaving his home and all of his friends.   Soon after his arrival, however, Stuart learns of a family mystery.  His great-uncle Tony, a magician, mysteriously disappeared many years earlier.    Hidden somewhere is his uncle's secret workshop, where he created magical tools.   Stuart finds himself caught up in a quest to find his uncle's secret workshop and solve the mystery of his disappearance. 

This was a fun read with a combination of mystery, adventure, and magic!   I loved the characters and the many fun gadgets that Stuart encountered throughout the story.    This book definitely sparked my interest in the "miraculous mechanisms" described in the book.   I'm excited to read the next book in the series!

Author video: 

Hiding Out at the Pancake Palace

Hiding Out at the Pancake Palace 
by Nan Marino

Elvis Ruby needs a place to hide. After a disastrous performance, the famous eleven-year-old just wants to get away from the cameras and fans that are always following him.  The Pancake Palace, a tiny restaurant in a tiny town, seems the perfect place for Elvis to go.  At first his disguise seems to fool everyone, except Cecelia, who recognizes Elvis almost immediately.  She promises to keep his identity a secret, but also needs his help in an important task.    Will he be able to help Cecelia without anyone else finding out who he really is?

This is a fun book that will be a nice choice for fans of realistic fiction.   The story is full of many fun, likeable characters, particularly the main characters Cecelia and Elvis.  

Author's website:   http://www.nanmarino.com/

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library
by Chris Grabenstein

Twelve sixth-graders are faced with an unusual challenge: find a way to escape from the brand new public library designed by game-maker Luigi Lemoncello.   After a dozen years without a public library, their town is celebrating the impending opening of the new, unique library.

Kyle is one of the twelve sixth-graders who win an essay contest to be part of a group of students who get to spend a night in the library before it is open to the public.   Not only does this innovative new library contain books, it also is home to an IMAX theater, a game room, and other amazing things!  

Just when everything couldn't get any more exciting, the twelve are offered another contest:  be the first to escape from Mr. Lemoncello's library!   In order to find a way out, Kyle and the others must use book-related clues to find an alternate exit to the library.   Will Kyle accept the challenge and be the first to escape from Mr. Lemoncello's library?

As a librarian, I loved this book!   There were many connections to well-known books as well as other library-related trivia, such as the Dewey Decimal system.    As I read this book, I was easily able to envision this extraordinary, innovative library that the kids were exploring.   It is a fun book that has many similarities to stories such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  

Author's website:  http://chrisgrabenstein.com/kids/

Creepy Carrots

Creepy Carrots
by Aaron Reynolds
illustrated by Peter Brown

Jasper Rabbit loves carrots.  He loves them so much that he always finds time to stop by the carrot patch for a snack.    His ravenous appetite for carrots is tested, however, when he suddenly realizes that creepy carrots are following him!   Although he sees the creepy carrots everywhere he goes,  no one else seems to be able to see them.   Will Jasper find a way to escape the creepy carrots?

This Caldecott Honor Book is a hilarious story full of great illustrations.    I've read it aloud to many classes and most of my students love it!



Author's website: http://www.aaron-reynolds.com/

Illustrator's website:  http://www.peterbrownstudio.com/books/#.Un5o442RE7A

Creepy Carrots Zone:  

Capture the Flag

Capture the Flag
by Kate Messner

When a historical flag is stolen, three children who have never met suddenly find themselves working together to solve the mystery!  Anna, Jose, and Henry are strangers who come together at a Washington D.C. airport after their flight is cancelled.   Not only do they each have a connection to the flag, they soon learn that they have something else in common.   Suspecting that the stolen flag (and its thief) is somewhere in the airport, they rush to find the flag and the culprit.   Will they find the flag before their time runs out?

This is a great mystery and the first in a series!  Fans of mysteries will enjoy reading this story.   I'm looking forward to reading more in the Silver Jaguar Society series.

Author's website:  http://www.katemessner.com/

The Center of Everything

The Center of Everything 
by Linda Urban

As Ruby Pepperdine anxiously awaits to present her winning essay at her town's annual Bunting Day parade, she continues to think back to recent events leading up to the day, including the death of her beloved grandmother and a fight with her best friend.   Ruby desperately hopes that a birthday wish made on the statue of Captain Bunting will finally come true on this day.    Will her birthday wish come true and fix everything?

Full of heartwarming, yet sometimes sad, moments, this touching story alternates between present day and Ruby's flashbacks of recent events.   Many readers will be able to identify with the challenges that twelve-year-old Ruby deals with throughout the story.

Author's website:  http://lindaurbanbooks.com/

Chained

Chained
by Lynne Kelly

When ten-year-old Hastin's younger sister becomes sick, he must find a way to help his family raise the money to pay for her medical bills.    Hastin accepts a job from Timir, a circus owner in need of an elephant keeper.   As Hastin travels far from home to work for Timir, he imagines his new job to be full of excitement.   He soon learns, however, that Timir is a cruel man who is determined to make his circus succeed.    As Hastin struggles in his new job, he grows attached to Nandita, a young elephant that had been captured to work Timir's circus.   As he grows closer to Nandita, Hastin becomes determined to free himself and the young elephant from Timir.  

Readers who enjoyed "The One and Only Ivan" will want to read this book!  While the story has some sad parts, I enjoyed reading about the growing bond between Hastin and Nandita.  

Author's website: http://lynnekellybooks.com/wordpress/

Book trailer:

Prairie Evers

Prairie Evers
by Ellen Airgood

Prairie Evers has never been to school.   Having spent her life being home-schooled by her grandmother, Prairie has never experienced learning in a classroom.   All of that changes, however, when her parents decide to move and her grandmother decides not to come with them.   Prairie suddenly must adjust to being in school and soon learns that not everyone in her new class is friendly.    Will Prairie be able to find friends and get used to her new school?

This wonderful story about family and friendship is a good choice for readers who enjoy realistic fiction.   

Author's website: http://ellenairgood.com/

That is Not a Good Idea!

That is Not a Good Idea
by Mo Willems

When a fox invites a goose to come for a walk with him, her babies keep insisting it is not a good idea!  Despite the persistent warnings, the fox and goose continue on the walk and visit the home of the fox.   A hilarious twist at the end of the story will leave many readers surprised and laughing!

I shared this funny story with several of my classes recently and, as with most Mo Willems books, it was a hit!   It's shorter length make it a great, engaging read aloud for younger grades.  


Author's website: http://www.mowillems.com/

Book trailer:
 

Earthling!

Earthling!
by Mark Fearing

Imagine getting on the wrong bus on your first day at a new school!  That's what happened to Bud.   After moving to New Mexico with his father, Bud accidentally gets on the wrong school bus on the first day.   Not only does this bus go to a different school, it goes to a school in outer space!   Arriving at the Cosmos Academy, Bud soon learns that Earthlings are feared by everyone in the galaxy.   With the help of a new friend, Bud hides that he is from Earth by posing as an exchange student.   Unfortunately, pretending to be an exchange student from the planet Tenarian isn't as easy as he thought.  Will Bud be able to find a way to get home to Earth before everyone learns his secret?

With great illustrations and a lot of humor, Earthling! is a great choice for fans of graphic novels as well as readers who enjoy science fiction.  

Author's website:  http://www.markfearing.com/

Book trailer:

Malcolm at Midnight

Malcolm at Midnight
by W.H. Beck
illustrated by Brian Lies

Malcolm has a secret: he's really a rat but no one can know!  When fifth grade teacher Mr. Binney sees Malcolm at a pet store, he mistakenly believes that the small rat is a mouse.  In his new home in Mr. Binney's fifth grade classroom,  Malcolm adjusts to the life of a class pet.   Soon after arriving he discovers the Midnight Academy, a group of all the school's class pets.   Malcolm is eager to join, but soon realizes that rats are not welcome by some of the group's members.   To gain acceptance, he denies being a rat.    Despite his insistence that he can be trusted, some members are suspicious of him and, when the group's leader goes missing, Malcolm finds himself being accused of being a traitor.   Can Malcolm solve the mystery and prove his innocence?



Author's website:  http://www.whbeck.com/

Illustrator's website:   http://www.brianlies.com/

Book trailer:

Kepler's Dream

Kepler's Dream
by Juliet Bell

Ella has to spend her summer with a grandmother she has never even met.    With her mother in the hospital undergoing cancer treatment and her father too busy, the only option for Ella is her grandmother's unusual home.    Convinced it is going to be a long, boring summer, Ella suddenly finds excitement when a rare and valuable book, Kepler's Dream of the Moon, is stolen from her grandmother's library.   With the help of her friend Rosie, Ella seeks out to solve the mystery of the missing book, while at the same time working to fix her broken family.   

This book is a good combination of mystery and realistic fiction.    Readers who enjoy mysteries or books about family and friends will likely enjoy this story. 


Author's website:  http://julietbell.com/

Book trailer: 

The Cloak Society

The Cloak Society 
by Jeramey Kraatz

Alex Knight has spent his life planning to become a supervillain like his parents, Shade and Volt.   Growing up in the Cloak Society, an organization of powerful supervillains, he has been trained to use his own powers to aid the group in gaining control over Sterling City.   After spending his whole life devoted to Cloak, he suddenly begins to question their motives after meeting a member of the Rangers, a group of superheroes who have defeated Cloak in the past.    Will Alex follow in the footsteps of his supervillain parents, or will he leave the life that he has always known?

I had a hard time putting this book down! It is fast-paced and full of action and adventure.   I'm looking forward to the next book in this series!  Readers who enjoy the supervillain theme of this book may also consider reading Joshua Dread, another book about a boy from a supervillain family.

Author's website:   http://www.jerameykraatz.com/

Author interview:

Supervillain Personality Test:

Island of Thieves

Island of Thieves
by Josh Lacey

Tom Trelawney didn't mean to burn down a shed.  Unfortunately, the accident with the shed means he has to stay with his Uncle Harvey while his parents go on vacation.   Shortly after Tom's arrival, Harvey announces that he must go on a secret trip to find a hidden pirate treaure.   After much pleading (and a little blackmail), Harvey agrees to take Tom along with him.    What Tom expects to be a fun adventure soon turns into a dangerous quest.   Tom had been worried about making it back to New York before his parents returned,  but now he's worried he may never even make it home at all!

What a great book! Island of Thieves is a good choice for readers looking for a book full of action and suspense! 

Author's Website:  http://www.joshlacey.com/

Always October

Always October
by Bruce Coville

What do you do when your little brother turns into a monster?   Jake Doolittle needs to figure that out.  When he and his mother discover a baby abandoned on their doorstep, they decide to keep it.   Everything goes well until one full-moon night when Jake discovers his new brother LD has turned into a furry green monster!  Jake soon learns that there are other monsters after his new brother and, despite the baby's new fangs and pointy ears, he becomes determined to help save LD.  With the help of his friend Lily, Jake brings LD to the mysterious world of Always October,  a land full of monsters and other creepy creatures. 

I thought this book was great.   Always October is full of adventure, humor,  and many surprising twists!  

Author's website:  http://www.brucecoville.com/

The Ghost of Graylock

The Ghost of Graylock 
by Dan Poblocki

Forced to spend a summer with their two aunts, Neil and his sister Bree soon discover the nearby Graylock Hall, an abandoned hospital with a dark past.    With the help of a new friend, Nick and Bree sneak into the old hospital to investigate its ghostly legend.    After narrowly escaping a terrifying visit to Graylock, Nick and his sister begin experiencing frightening nightmares and visions as well as many unexplained events.    Will they be able to solve the legend of the Ghost of Graylock before it's too late?

The Ghost of Graylock is a creepy book that is a good choice for fans of scary ghost stories!   It is full of many unexpected twists that will keep readers surprised and in suspense!

Author's Website:  http://www.danpoblocki.com/

The Ability

The Ability
by M.M. Vaughan

Constantly in trouble at school, twelve-year-old Christopher is the last person anyone would expect to be chosen to attend the prestigious, Myers Holt Academy.   Yet he finds himself attending the mysterious school with five other twelve-year-old children who all share a similar ability.   The six students soon find themselves being trained to use their abilities to help the government in a special task.  While the Myers Holt students are working to use their powers for good, elsewhere two other twelve-year-old boys are also being trained to use their ability by an evil woman out for revenge.  

The magical school setting of this story and the good versus evil storyline makes this book a great choice for those seeking a book like Harry Potter and other similar stories.    The conclusion of this exciting book left me anxious to read the next in the series!

Author's website: http://mmvaughan.com/theability

Joshua Dread

Joshua Dread
by Lee Bacon

If you think your parents can be embarrassing, imagine being Joshua Dread!  His parents are supervillains.  While others, including his best friend, idolize famous superhero Captain Justice,  Joshua must struggle with the secret that his parents are the infamous, havoc-causing Dread Duo.
Even though he lives in a home where his parents keep zombies and a killer plant, Joshua tries to be a normal kid.   Unfortunately, when he suddenly begins to develop his own superpower and his parents get kidnapped, Joshua must come to accept that his life will likely never be normal!   

Joshua Dread is a superhero with a hilarious twist!   I love how instead of having superhero parents, Joshua's parents are supervillains.  Despite their attempts to take over the world,  the actions of his parents tend to be more humorous than evil.   Full of action and humor, this book is a great choice for fans of Sidekicks and similar stories.   This also is the first in a series, with a sequel to this great book scheduled to be published in the fall.   I'm looking forward to Joshua's next adventure!

Author's website:  http://www.leebaconbooks.com/

Unusual Creatures

Unusual Creatures: A Mostly True Account of Some of Earth's Strangest Animals
by Michael Hearst
illustrated by Jelmer Noordeman, Christie Wright, and Arjen Noordeman

Have you ever seen an axolotl?  How about a leafy sea dragon?   Did you know that the pygmy marmoset is probably the smallest monkey known to the world or that the glass frog has see-through skin on its belly?  This book is full of fun, fascinating facts about some of the most unusual creatures in the world.   Entertaining and educational, this book is great choice for anyone wanting to learn about some very unique animals. 


Unusual Creatures website:  http://www.unusualcreatures.com/

The Boy Who Invented TV

The Boy Who Invented TV:  The Story of Philo Farnsworth
by Kathleen Krull
illustrated by Greg Couch

Once upon a time there was no television, no internet, and very few phones.    Philo Farnsworth was captivated by inventions, particularly the phonograph and telephone.  When he read about inventors trying to create something called television, he set out to try to create one and, while plowing a potato field at the age of 14, got an idea for how to make it work.   Years later, Philo was able to use his work to create what is believed to be the first televised images.

Until I read this story, I knew very little about the early history of television.     What an inspirational biography about a creative young inventor!

Author's website:  http://www.kathleenkrull.com/

Just Ducks!

Just Ducks!
by Nicola Davies
illustrated by Salvatore Rubbino

A little girl wakes to the sounds of ducks quacking outside her window.   Throughout her day, she watches the activities of the mallards that have gathered by her home.

Combining fiction and nonfiction,  this educational book incorporates many great facts about ducks throughout the story.  With impressive illustrations, numerous facts, and an index in back, this is a good choice for readers wanting to learn more about ducks.  

Author's website:  http://www.nicola-davies.com/

Biblioburro: A True Story From Columbia

Biblioburro: A True Story From Columbia
by Jeanette Winter

Luis Soriano had too many books!   An avid reader, when he finished one book he would soon get another.   When his wife insisted he find a place for all of his books, he decided to share them with those who did not have books by creating the Biblioburro, a traveling library.   Using two burros, Luis now travels to remote villages in Columbia to share his books with others. 

This is a great story that I recently used to discuss with my classes about how others don't have access to books the ways that we do!  This short biography about Luis Soriano pairs well with the picture book "Waiting for the Biblioburro" by Monica Brown.   

Video clip of the Biblioburro:

Beholding Bee

Beholding Bee
by Kimberly Newton Fusco

Young orphan Bee has spent her entire life as a carnival worker.    Working at the hot dog cart, she finds herself the source of much unwanted attention due to a large, red birthmark on her face.    As she endures the taunts of the public and the harshness of the carnival owner, Bee finds comfort with her caregiver Pauline.  Unfortunately, things begin to fall apart for Bee when Pauline is sent away. Feeling abandoned, Bee is left only with her dog Peabody.   When the carnival owner discovers her hidden dog, Bee realizes that she must run away and find a new home for her and Peabody.   Although she finds the perfect home with two mysterious, old-fashioned women, Bee still faces many challenges in her new life.


Set in the 1940s, Beholding Bee is a heartwarming historical fiction with a touch of magic.   Bee deals with many difficult challenges due to her birthmark,  including her being separated from other students at school, yet grows emotionally stronger and more confident throughout the story.   Fans of R.J. Palacio's Wonder may want to try this book.  


Author's website:  http://www.kimberlynewtonfusco.com/

The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School

The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School
by Candace Fleming

Nobody wanted to be the teacher of the soon-to-be fourth graders at Aesop Elementary School.   They were notorious for their bad behavior.   Just when school principal Mrs. Struggles was giving up hope of finding them a teacher,  Mr. Jupiter arrives on the last day of school.   Full of unusual teaching credentials, including a job as a translator for Bigfoot, he is awarded the job after admitting he attended Aesop as a fifth grader.  Can he handle the infamous class that no one else wanted? 

Similar to Louis Sachar's Wayside School series, The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School humorously tells the stories of the different students and teachers at Aesop, including librarian Paige Turner who transforms herself soon after meeting Mr. Jupiter.   Keeping with the fable theme, most chapters end with a moral.   This funny book is a great choice for readers looking for a humorous story and will also work well as a read aloud.  

Author's website:   http://www.candacefleming.com/

Sleep Like A Tiger

Sleep Like a Tiger
by Mary Logue
illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski

Does everything go to sleep?  When a little girl does not want to go to sleep, she asks her parents in everything in the world goes to sleep.   What follows is a description of how many animals sleep, from the nocturnal bats hanging upside down, to the tiger in the jungle sleeping to stay strong.  Eventually the little girl settles herself into her bed in ways very similar to the animals her parents described.

This lovely bedtime story is accompanied by beautiful, bold illustrations that recently earned this book a Caldecott Honor.    As I read the parts where the parents described how different animals slept, I imagined the possibilities for pairing this picture book with nonfiction text about animal sleep habits.   

Wildwood

Wildwood
by Colin Meloy
illustrated by Carson Ellis

A quiet afternoon in the park turns into a nightmare for Prue McKeel when a group of crows swoop down and snatches her baby brother!   Soon they disappear into a part of her city known as the Impassable Wilderness, an overgrown wooded area that no one ever goes into.   Despite many disturbing rumors surrounding the Impassable Wilderness, Prue knows she must try to rescue her brother and enters the mysterious area with her friend Curt.  There they discover a secret, dangerous world filled with bandits, talking animals, and a powerful magical woman with a plot to destroy everything.

This first book in the Wildwood Chronicles series is full of magic and exciting twists.   I loved reading about the mysterious hidden world of Wildwood with its variety of animal and human characters.   Meloy describe Wildwood and its inhabitants in a way that they can be easily pictured by the reader.    This is a good choice for readers looking for a book that combines adventure and fantasy.  

Book website:  http://www.wildwoodchronicles.com/books

Book trailer:

Kite Day

Kite Day: A Bear and Mole Story
by Will Hillenbrand

It's the perfect day to fly a kite!  Best friends Bear and Mole work hard to make their own kite.   Things go well at first, until dark clouds roll in, bringing with them a strong wind that snaps the kite string and causes the kite to blow away.   Can the two friends hurry to save the kite before it is lost forever?

A cute book that will pair well as a read aloud with author Will Hillenbrand's other Bear and Mole story, Spring is Here.    I can also see following this read aloud with a discussion about kites and possibly a kite-themed craft!

Author's website: http://www.willhillenbrand.com/

Randy Riley's Really Big Hit

Randy Riley's Really Big Hit
by Chris Van Dusen

Randy Riley loves baseball and science.   He's a terrible baseball player who can never hit the ball, the is a genius when it comes to science.  When he spies a fireball heading straight towards his town, he cleverly devises a plan that combines his love of robots and baseball to save everyone!    Will his plan work?

As with most of Van Dusen's books, the fun, rhyming text is paired with bright, engaging illustrations.   Don't be surprised to catch familiar objects from other books in his illustrations - I recently read this aloud to a first grade class and one student spied a model version of the car from If I Built a Car on Randy's shelf.    

Author's Website:  http://www.chrisvandusen.com/

 

Don't Copy Me!

Don't Copy Me!
by Jonathan Allen

Little Puffin just wants to go for a quiet walk, but soon finds his every word and move being copied by three very mischievous gull chicks!   Every attempt he makes to stop them fails, and the more he tries the more annoyed he gets!  Will he find a way to escape the gull chicks?

Anyone who has been on either end of the "don't copy me" game will easily relate to and enjoy the humorous interactions between Little Puffin and the gull chicks!  The illustrations are simple yet entertaining.   A fun real aloud for younger grades that will leave many laughing and likely to engage in their own "don't copy me" game!   For a Puffin theme, pair this book with Nothing Like a Puffin by Sue Soltis. 

Puss in Boots

Puss in Boots
by Jerry Pinkney

A clever cat outsmarts many to bring riches to his master in this retelling of a classic tale.   When Benjamin inherits a cat from his father, he wonders how he will survive on such as small inheritance.  However, the tricky cat quickly proves his value to Benjamin by bringing him more wealth and prestige than he could ever imagine.

 Jerry Pinkney, who won the 2010 Caldecott for The Lion & The Mouse, has created beautiful illustrations to accompany his retelling of the classic Puss in Boots story.    A great choice for a read aloud!  


Author's website:  http://www.jerrypinkneystudio.com

The Unwanteds

The Unwanteds 
by Lisa McMann

Imagine living in a dreary world where any act of creativity or imagination is considered a crime.  In the strict, grey society of Quill, an annual purging sorts the thirteen-year-olds into three categories: Wanted, Necessary, and Unwanted.  To be declared Wanted is the highest of honors, but to be declared Unwanted means elimination.

Although his twin brother receives the honor of being declared a Wanted, creative Alex is unsurprised when he is sorted out as an Unwanted.   He, and the many others that day who are declared Unwanted, believe they are being brought to their deaths.   To their surprise, however, they find that behind the walls of the Death Camp, there is a secret hidden world named Artime where all the Unwanteds live, protected by a magical spell cast by a man determined to save all of the Unwanteds from the rulers of Quill.   Despite the magic keeping them hidden, the residents of Artime are at risk of being discovered by Quill and must prepare for battle against those who want them eliminated.
 
As a big fan of dystopian fiction, I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the second book in this series, Island Of Silence.     It has many of the characteristics that we see in other dystopian fiction books, including the restrictive society, but also adds a magical twist that will appeal to fans of fantasy.   This book is a good choice for readers who like books such as Among the Hidden (and other books in the Shadow Children series) or The Giver.

Author's website:  http://lisamcmann.com/

Book trailer: 

The Cloud Spinner

The Cloud Spinner
by Michael Catchpool
illustrated by Allison Jay



There was once a boy who could spin thread from the clouds, weaving it into beautiful cloth on his loom.   From the the gold clouds of the morning to the white in the afternoon and, finally, the crimson clouds of the evening, he spun only what he needed from the clouds, and never any more than what was enough for him.  

When the greedy king demanded a scarf as well, the boy obliged but was reluctant to make the king something he did not need.  Unfortunately, the king continued to be greedy and soon the boy had spun all of the clouds out of the sky,  leaving the village rainless and dry.   Luckily, the princess was not as greedy as her father and helped the boy save their village!

The Cloud Spinner is a wonderful story that teaches the value of our planet's resources and the importance of using only what you need.   The illustrations are very colorful, with crackle effect that gives them an antique-like look.