Going Places

Going Places
by Peter & Paul Reynolds

It's time for the "Going Places" contest!   Just like the other kids in his class, Rafael gets a Going Places Kit to build the go-kart that he will race against his classmates.  Because all the kits are the same, he expects his neighbor Maya's finished go-kart to look just like his.  To his shock, he learns that Maya did not follow the directions on the kit, instead using her imagination and creativity to make a very different looking vehicle!   Inspired by Maya's unique creation, Rafael suggests they work together and combine their kits to make a vehicle unlike any of the ones their classmates are making!

Going Places is an excellent story about teamwork and creativity that will inspire readers to think outside the box!

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

Book trailer:

A Handful of Stars

A Handful of Stars 
by Cynthia Lord

When Lily's beloved blind dog, Lucky, escapes from her one day, she has no idea that a peanut butter sandwich and bag of chips is about to change her entire summer!   Due to the quick thinking (and lunch) of Salma, the daughter of blueberry harvesters who are spending their summer working in the quiet, small Maine town that Lily lives in, Lucky is caught.   Soon after, Salma and Lily meet up again and develop a friendship, bonding as they work together to help Lily save up money for a surgery that could restore Lucky's eyesight.

When Salma decides to enter the Blueberry Queen pageant, Lily worries about how the people of their small town, including her close friend and  the current Blueberry Queen Hannah, will react to having a migrant worker enter.   Will the small town be accepting of Salma entering the pageant and will the two friends be successful in raising the money they need to help Lily's dog?

Written by a Maine author and set in Maine, A Handful of Stars is a wonderful story about friendship, family, hope, and acceptance.   Readers who enjoyed other Cynthia Lord books, such as Touch Blue or Half a Chance,  will want to read this one!  

Author's website: http://www.cynthialord.com/handful-of-stars.html

A Boy and a Jaguar

A Boy and a Jaguar
by Alan Rabinowitz
illustrated by Catia Chien

Growing up, Alan Rabinowitz could not speak without stuttering.    Because of his stutter, he was put into a special class at school, making him feel like he was broken.    However, there were times when he didn’t stutter at all: when he was speaking to animals.  With animals, the words flowed easily and fluently.   His love of animals, including his ability to communicate easily around them, eventually brought him to Belize, where he realized the jaguars were at risk.    Determined to help protect the jaguars, Alan faced the challenge of speaking to a group of people in order to convince them that the jaguars needed to be saved.

This inspiring autobiography is an excellent book that shows readers how someone can overcome a challenge and make a difference in the world!

Video of Alan Rabinowitz: