Jack and the Baked Beanstalk

Jack and the Baked Beanstalk
by Colin Stimpson

The traditional story of Jack and the Beanstalk takes many twists in this fun version!   Our main character Jack works with his mother in their lunch truck, but when business goes down Jack risks them losing everything by using the little money they have left to buy a can of magical baked beans.   Predictably, the next morning a large beanstalk is waiting to be climbed, only this magical vine is growing cans of baked beans!   When Jack reaches the top of this unusual beanstalk he meets a  lonely giant who just wants company and someone to cook for!   

I loved this humorous  retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk!   In addition to be full of funny twists, it had a satisfying and entertaining ending as well as great illustrations.   I can't wait to use this version when I do my Jack and the Beanstalk unit with my 2nd graders later this year.  

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

Hidden

Hidden
by Helen Frost

When Darra and Wren meet each other at summer camp each girl recognizes the other.   They have met before, but never face to face.  Six years ago they were brought together in a way that changed both of their lives forever when Darra's father stole a van, not knowing that Wren was hiding in back.   As Wren silently hid in the garage of the man who stole her mother's car, Darra realized the missing girl was in her family's garage.   Without ever seeing each other, the two girls formed a lifelong connection as Darra continued to bring food and supplies to the hidden Wren.   Now, six years later, the two girls are brought together unexpectedly at camp, bringing back years of difficult memories for both.


I had a hard time putting this book down!   The storyline and the two main characters were amazing.   I felt very connected to both girls.  What I liked best about this story was that it was told in two voices as the chapters alternated between Darra and Wren as the narrators, with each girl having her own distinct narration style.    This is a great choice for readers who enjoy realistic fiction stories about friendship and relationships.  

Author's website:  http://www.helenfrost.net/

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In a Glass Grimmly
by Adam Gidwitz
illustrated by Hugh D'Andrade

Jack and Jill went up a hill, but first they must climb up a bean stalk and compete against a group of giants before Jack even falls down!   In this twisted retelling of Jack and Jill, the two characters experience a series of wild adventures, including evil mermaids and a fire-breathing salamander, as they seek the magical Seeing Glass.   

Fans of author Adam Gidwitz's A Tale Dark and Grimm will enjoy this book!   As in A Tale Dark and Grimm, this new book takes a traditional tale and mixes in parts from other familiar stories, including Jack and the Beanstalk and The Emperor's New Clothes.  In a Glass Grimmly is full of unexpected twists and the occasional gory parts that made A Tale Dark and Grimm a favorite among many readers!  

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

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Kristy's Great Idea

Kristy's Great Idea (Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novel)
by Raina Telegemeier
based on the series by Ann M. Martin

Kristy loves to baby-sit and, when she sees her mother struggling to find a baby-sitter for her little brother, she comes up with a great idea: a club for baby-sitters!   She and her friends and fellow baby-sitters Mary Anne, Claudia, and Stacey form the Baby-Sitters Club.   As the club begins to bring in new baby-sitting jobs for the four friends, they experience the challenges of unusual clients as well as difficulties in their personal lives.    Will the club be able to survive despite these challenges?

I was very excited to read this graphic novel version of the Baby-Sitters Club!  I became a huge fan of the original series many years ago when I read my first BSC book in 5th grade.  It's great to see that the series is still going strong!   I loved the graphic novel version just as much as the original and found that the pictures brought the story more alive for me.    It's wonderful to see students in my library enjoying a story that I loved when I was their age!  

Author's Website:  http://goraina.com/

Jeremy Bender vs. the Cupcake Cadets

Jeremy Bender vs. the Cupcake Cadets
by Eric Luper

Jeremy Bender has a big problem.  He and his best friend Slater accidentally sprayed paint all over the engine of his father's boat.   Now they need to come up with the money to fix the boat before Jeremy's father finds out.  Unfortunately, even after combining all the money they have, they don't have nearly as much as they need.  When Jeremy spots an ad for the Cupcake Cadets annual Windjammer Whirl, he decides they need to enter so they can win the $500 prize.  However, in order to enter they must join the girls-only Cupcake Cadets!  Despite Slater's resistance, Jeremy convinces his friend that they must pretend to be girls so that they can win the money to fix the boat.   As the two friends struggle to survive cupcake sales, camping trips, and baking, they realize that being a Cupcake Cadet is not as easy as they planned!   Will they be able to keep up their act long enough to win the money they need?

This was a very funny book!   Jeremy and Slater's multiple botched attempts at their Cupcake Cadet duties were hilarious.   I recommend this book to anyone looking for a humorous story.

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

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Extra Yarn

Extra Yarn 
By Mac Barnett
Illustrated by Jon Klassen

Annabelle is about to learn that an ordinary looking box of yarn can go a long way!   When she finds a box of what appears to be ordinary yarn, she knits herself a sweater.   However, there is still extra yarn left over, so she uses it to knit more and more.  Soon she is knitting for everyone and everything, even for houses and trucks and other things that would never wear sweaters!  No matter how much she knits, there is always extra yarn.   When a selfish archduke learns of Annabelle's magic yarn box, he wants it for himself.  Will Annabelle be able to save her magical yarn box from the evil archduke? 

I love to knit, so this picture book was a hit with me!   I loved watching Annabelle clothe the people and objects around her with her knits, turning her ordinary snow-covered town into a warm and colorful place.   This is a sweet, funny story that will be a great choice for both knitters and non-knitters! 

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

Jake and Lily

Jake and Lily
by Jerry Spinelli

Twins Jake and Lily share a lot of things, including their secret power to communicate to each other through their thoughts.  The summer they turn eleven, however, everything changes.   They each get their own room and Jake starts hanging out with the neighborhood bully's gang, "The Death Rays".    Jake loves the new changes, but Lily just wants things to go back to the way they used to be.    As Jake and his new friends get into troubling, and often cruel, adventures, Lily struggles to create an identity separate from the one she shared with her twin.   They each want to find a new identity, but will they do it in a way where they can truly be happy with themselves? 

What a great book!  I think a lot of readers will be able to relate to Jake and Lily.  The things that each twin dealt with are struggles faced by many: making new friends, bullies, and finding oneself.    I recommend this book to any reader looking for a good realistic fiction novel.  

Author's Website:  http://www.jerryspinelli.com/newbery_001.htm

Balloons Over Broadway

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade
by Melissa Sweet

How did the giant balloons of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade begin?   Balloons Over Broadway tells the story of Tony Sarg, the puppeteer responsible for the creation of giant balloons that first appeared over 80 years ago in the famous Thanksgiving parade.   A  puppeteer famous for his beautiful marionettes, Tony successfully took on the challenge of creating floating puppets for the parade, leading to a tradition that still continues each year.   This beautiful biography includes bright illustrations of Tony's life from the time he was a little boy to his creation of the first balloons for the Macy's parade.   This is a great book to read at any time of year, but especially during Thanksgiving!

Author's website:   http://melissasweet.net/
   

Penny and her Doll

Penny and Her Doll
by Kevin Henkes

Penny is thrilled when she receives a new doll in the mail from her Gram!     Everything about her new doll is perfect except for one small problem:  she can't think of a name for her!    Despite many suggestions from others, Penny is unable to find the perfect name for her beloved doll until suddenly the right name comes to her in a way that is truly meant to be.  

I thought this was a very sweet story!   Readers who liked other Kevin Henkes mouse stories will probably enjoy his newest mouse tale.  The short chapters and bright pictures make this story an excellent first chapter book for newer readers. 

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

Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact

Darwen Arkwright and the Peregrine Pact
by A.J. Hartley

There's something strange about Darwen Arkwright's new mirror!  However, everything about Darwen's life has been strange recently after moving from England to his aunt's home in Georgia.   A quiet trip to the mall to buy a school uniform turns into an adventure after he finds himself inside an unusual shop filled with old mirrors.   Darwen is surprised and confused when the owner, Mr. Peregrine, gives him a mirror to take home, but he is even more shocked when he realizes that the mirror is anything but typical.   By day it's an ordinary mirror, but at night it leads into a magical world that is a beautiful escape from Darwen's frustrating daily life.   Darwen's love of this new world is short-lived as he soon realizes that it is also full of dangerous creatures determined to come through the mirror into the human world.   Will Darwen be able to save the worlds on both sides of the mirror before it's too late?

This was an amazing book!     It's full of excitement and adventure but it also deals with everyday issues such as bullies and making friends.  

Book website:  http://darwenarkwright.com/

Author's website:  http://ajhartley.net/