Seven Dead Pirates

Seven Dead Pirates
by Linda Bailey

Libertalia.  You!  Great-Granddad's last words to Lewis Dearborn made no sense.   That is, until he and his family move into the large, ramshackle home that once belonged to his great-grandfather.   Soon after moving in, Lewis learns that his home, particularly his new bedroom, is haunted by the ghosts of seven dead pirates.  The rowdy group of ghostly pirates, who once knew his great-grandfather, need Lewis to help them reclaim their old ship, now on display in a local museum.   How will Lewis be able to sneak these seven unruly, yet fearful of cars and other modern vehicles, pirates back to their ship without getting caught? 

A ghost story with a bit of humor mixed in, Seven Dead Pirates is a very entertaining read!  I love how the story also deals with school and family issues that the shy Lewis faces throughout the book.   This book will be a great choice for many readers!

Author's website: http://www.lindabaileybooks.com/home.html

The Tortoise and the Soldier

The Tortoise and the Soldier
by Michael Foreman

As he struggles to survive in a battle at Gallipoli during World War I, British Royal Navy soldier Henry Friston is shocked to discover a tortoise by his side.   Unable to leave his new companion behind, he sneaks him aboard his battleship, the HMS Implacable, where the two friends continue to travel the world together during the remainder of Henry's time on the ship.  This story, based on true events, follows the struggles faced by Henry Friston, as well as his fellow soldiers, as they fight in World War I, as well as describes the lifelong bond between Henry and his tortoise friend, Ali Pasha. 

What an amazing story!  Not only does it detail the challenges of the life of a World War I soldier, it also shows how strong a bond between a human and his animal companion can be!  Outstanding illustrations help bring this wonderful story to life.  This book is a great choice for fans of war stories as well as animal lovers.  

Full Cicada Moon

Full Cicada Moon
by Marilyn Hilton

When aspiring astronaut Mimi moves from California to Vermont in 1969, the 7th grader encounters a very different place than what she left behind. As she fights to fit into her new town and school, many of the people she meets react to her mixed heritage with questions, confusion, bigotry, and suspicion.  As much as Mimi wants to fit in, her determined personality and love of science continue to make her stand out to everyone she meets.   Will the strong willed Mimi find a way to fit in without having to sacrifice everything she believes in?  

This inspiring historical fiction is a wonderful story of staying true to oneself.   The narrator, Mimi, demonstrates incredible strength  and determination as she works to achieve her goals.   This was one of those books that, when I started reading it, I simply could not put down until I finished it!  

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

Took

Took
by Mary Downing Hahn

The move to West Virginia was supposed to be a new start for Daniel’s family.   Unfortunately, it has only been one disaster after another.   Their new house is falling part, the kids in his new school call him a snob, and his parents are fighting all the time.   When others tell him rumors about a ghost witch and the mysterious disappearance of the little girl who used to live in his house,  Daniel doesn’t want to believe them.  Then, when his own sister disappears suddenly, he realizes the stories of the  ghost witch may be true after all.   Will he be able to rescue his sister before it’s too late? 

Another creepy story by author Mary Downing Hahn!  For readers looking for ghost stories, she is  one of the authors I always recommend.  Took is  great choice for those looking for a haunting tale to read!

Author's website:  http://www.hmhbooks.com/features/mdh/index.html
Took game from author's website:  http://www.hmhbooks.com/features/mdh/took-game.html
The Took game requires Adobe Flash Player, so it unfortunately will not work on iPads.   

The Thank You Book

The Thank You Book
by Mo Willems

Piggie wants to say thank you!   Elephant, however, is worried that she will forget to thank someone.  As she rushes to thank as many friends as possible, will Piggie remember to thank the one, very important friend, that Elephant is worried that she'll forget?

The Thank You Book is the 25th, and last, book of the well-loved Elephant and Piggie series.  As I shared this book with some of my classes recently, many of us were a little sad to know that there would be no more new adventures of two of our favorite story characters. Fortunately, we also know that we love the Elephant and Piggie books so much that we don't mind reading them over and over again!   The Thank You Book was a touching conclusion to this wonderful series that had this librarian a little teary as she read the last couple pages! 

Thank-O-Rama site: http://www.thankorama.com/

Thank-O-Rama video:

The War that Saved My Life

The War that Saved My Life
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Ada has never been able to leave her family's tiny apartment.   Unable to walk due to a foot abnormality, Ada is not allowed to go outside and only views the world through a window.   When World War II begins, however, everything changes.   Jamie, her younger brother, must leave London to go to a safer place and, despite her mother forbidding it, Ada sneaks out with him so that she can escape their cruel mother.   Arriving in the country, they are placed with Susan, a woman who knows nothing about children.    In her new, but temporary, home, Ada finally gets a sense of freedom and hope that she never felt with her mother.   Will her happiness last or, once the war ends, will she be sent back to the unhappy life she ran away from?

A Newbery Honor book, The War that Saved My Life is an inspiring story about a young girl who overcomes many challenges to find a better, happier life.   Set in England during World War II, this book will be a great choice for readers who enjoy historical fiction as well as those looking for a story about family and hope.  

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

Earmuffs for Everyone!

Earmuffs for Everyone! 
by Meghan McCarthy

Who is Chester Greenwood?  While many credit him as the inventor of the earmuffs, author Meghan McCarthy explains how, while he was not the first person to make earmuffs, he became known as the inventor of them by improving the designs of other earmuff inventors.   As a result of his fame, Farmington, Maine celebrates Chester Greenwood Day every December.   In addition to describing the interesting history of earmuffs, including Chester Greenwood's contribution, she also explains to young readers what a patent is, why its important to inventor, and how many famous inventors developed items that were actually improvements on something created by someone else.  With fun facts and cute illustrations, this informational picture book is a fascinating look at a piece of Maine history!

An author's note in the back details the lengthy research that Meghan McCarthy had to do to unravel the complicated history of earmuffs.  This additional information should be shared with older students, as she came across quite a bit of inaccurate information on the internet as she struggled to put together the mystery of Chester Greenwood's contribution to earmuffs.   Through the use of primary sources and other, more reliable, resources, she was finally able to get a better understanding about Chester Greenwood's life and the history of earmuffs!

Author's website: http://www.meghan-mccarthy.com/homepage.htm

Crenshaw

Crenshaw
by Katherine Applegate

The first time Crenshaw showed up, Jackson and his family were living in their minivan.   When the imaginary cat makes a reappearance a few years later,  Jackson begins to worry that his family once again will lose their home.   Food and money are scarce, and his parents have begun to sell some of their possessions to help pay the rent and other bills.  As Jackson struggles with his family's situation and the possibility of being homeless again,  he reminisces about the last time Crenshaw appeared.   Is Crenshaw's appearance just a coincidence, or a sign that things are about to fall apart again?

Crenshaw is an emotional story that had me captivated from the first page.   As I say to many of my students, I know a book is a going to be a great choice for me if I don't want to put it down once I begin reading it.  Crenshaw was one of those books.  Reading about Jackson's struggles will give many a greater appreciation for what they have, and the strong bonds of his family throughout their challenges is heartwarming.  What a great book!

Book website: http://www.mackidsbooks.com/crenshaw/

Book trailer: 

Fly Guy Presents: Snakes

Fly Guy Presents: Snakes
by Tedd Arnold

Fly Guy, the beloved pet fly, is back and ready to teach us about snakes!   Fly Guy and his friend Buzz share a trip to the zoo, where they visit the snake house.   Photographs of a variety of snakes are paired with interesting facts about the slithery creatures.   Throughout it all, the cartoonish presence of Buzz and Fly Guy help make this informative read highly entertaining!

Fans of Fly Guy as well as of snakes will enjoy this addition to the Fly Guy Presents series.   This is a great choice for beginning readers looking for a fun, nonfiction book about snakes.  



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


Book trailer:

Frankencrayon

Frankencrayon
by Michael Hall

As a cast of crayons eagerly wait to present "Frankencrayon", the unthinkable happens: a scribble across the page!   In their well-meaning efforts to fix the scribble, the crayons only make it worse.   As everything starts to fall apart, the only choice is to cancel the story.  Unfortunately, no one told the crayons playing Frankencrayon!  Will Frankencrayon be able to save the day?

This humorous picture book will be a great read aloud!  Full of bright colors, an entertaining cast of crayons, and hilarious moments, it will bring many laughs.   Read it with other crayon stories, including Michael Hall's other crayon book, Red: A Crayon's Story, as well as Drew Daywait's books The Day the Crayons Quit and the Day the Crayons Came Home for a crayon themed unit!

Author's website:  http://www.michaelhallstudio.com/index.html

Book Trailer: