Non Fiction Books for Kids

Non fiction is the theme for the day!  As Common Core is implemented, non fiction for kids will certainly become more prominent.  Some kids gravitate to non fiction naturally.  They like learning about real things and events.  However, a lot of kids enjoy more of a fantasy or adventure element when they consume their books.  The books I am profiling today nicely bridge the gap between real world events and story telling.  The events are based in fact, but they are told in a way that will get kids wrapped up in the excitement of the story, even if they may know the outcome.

With the 50th anniversary of the death of John F. Kennedy this past Friday, I wanted to highlight a book for kids that deals with his presidency and his assasination.  Swanson is one of the few writers who can take his adult books and cull them down to create engaging narratives for kids.  I found the next book, The Nazi Hunters, incredibly compelling and absolutely fascinating.  This is one of those books that makes you realize that real life can be just as compelling as anything we can dream up in stories.  Lastly I quite enjoyed Behind Enemy Lines.  While I am not typically drawn to books about war, I thought it walked the balance between combat and heroism so well.

Don't forget to Like One Great Book on Facebook or Twitter for all the real life stories that will get your heart pumping and blood racing.  Also check out my other non fiction posts for more compelling real life stories.

Title:       The President Has Been Shot

Author:   James L. Swanson

Target:    Grades 7 and up

Series:     No

What this book is about:
This book is an account of the Presidency and assassination of John F. Kennedy.  It is split into two parts.  It starts by sharing the accomplishments and failures of the President, and then goes on to detail the days leading up to and after the murder of the President.  Kids will learn about the tight election race against Nixon, the Cuban Missile Crisis and civil rights movement.  They will also get an in depth look at Lee Harvey Oswald, his motivations and how he was able to kill the President.

Why I love this book:
I absolutely adored Chasing Lincoln’s Killer, also by Swanson, so I was anxious to read this book.  Swanson has a way of bringing non fiction to life for readers and creating a huge sense of drama, despite the fact we know the outcome.  While I can’t say I enjoyed this book as much as his first, I did think it was a fascinating look at Kennedy and I came away with a much better understanding of the man and the events on the day he was shot.

The photographs and diagrams that Swanson uses in the book are extremely well done, and they made the history come alive for me.  I found this book so riveting and was amazed at how just a few days changed the course of our history.

Who this book is for:
Wonderful for kids interested in non fiction or history. 

Final thoughts:
When I looked up this book on Amazon I saw some shockingly low ratings which surprise me.  However, I then realized they were all conspiracy theorists who still think that the Kennedy assassination was part of an organized plot - of course they were also planning a visit to Area 51!

Purchase this book:

To purchase this book on Amazon, click on the following link: "The President Has Been Shot!": The Assassination of John F. Kennedy  A portion of each purchase will go back to this blog at no cost to you.


Title:       The Nazi Hunters

Author:   Neal Bascomb

Target:    Grades 6 and up

Series:     No

What this book is about:
This book is an adaptation of Bascomb’s adult book, Hunting Eichmann.  It tells the story of the discovery and the capture of the Nazi leader who lead the Jewish extermination during WWII.  Eichmann was able to allude detection in Argentina for years after the war and his discovery and eventual capture by Israeli intelligence agents is the stuff great stories are made of.  Bascomb accounts for every twist and turn in this tale that will leave readers on the edge of their seat, despite knowing the outcome.

Why I love this book:
First off this is just a compelling story.  It would be a nail bitting, suspenseful narrative if it were made up, but the fact that it is true, makes it all the more exciting.  Bascomb does a wonderful job of making us feel like we understand the risks in the operation and we are completely invested every time things don’t go according to plan.  

The other thing I loved about this book was the message.  The capture and trial of Eichmann was an emotionally cathartic experience for Israel.  It gave survivors a chance to tell their stories, find resolution and remind the world what evil can do if not stopped.  The story focuses primarily on the hunt and capture of Eichman, so the details of the Holocaust are not graphic but more informational.  However, what was emotional for me was the ability of Israel to deal with this horrific experience in a healing and respectful way.

Who this book is for:
While not graphic, it does not shy away from what happened to the Jews, so kids have to be old enough to handle that part of the story.  Other than that, it is for kids who like action, spies and espionage at its finest.

Final thoughts:
A great piece of nonfiction that really brings history to life.

Purchase this book:
To purchase this book from Amazon, click on the following link: The Nazi Hunters: How a Team of Spies and Survivors Captured the World's Most Notorious Nazi  A portion of each purchase will go back to this blog at no cost to you.

Title:       Behind Enemy Lines

Author:   Bill Doyle

Target:    Grades 4-8

Series:     Yes

What this book is about:

This book is a series of true stories which tells of the heroic deeds of soldiers and civilians during the war in Iraq.  We learn about a special ops team that must defuse an underwater mine before it destroys a ship armed with nuclear weapons.  We hear the bravery of an army sergeant who searches for explosives in Iraq to keep city streets safe.  When her convoy is attacked, we find out how an army corporal crawls back into the raging fire to save lives, despite snipers surrounding the area.  

Why I love this book:

I picked this book up simply because I know that there are kids out there who love books about war.  It’s never been my thing, but for those parents with kids who have this passion, I wanted to be able to provide books that were done well.  

This book surprised me by being so engaging I could not put it down!  The stories were compelling and the author did a wonderful job of balancing the atrocities of war against some absolutely selfless and heroic acts.  As terrible as war is, I felt hopeful at the end because of the courage and heart shown by so many in this book.

Each story was also well written and quite climactic.  While I knew that each of our main characters had survived to tell their story, I nonetheless felt worried for them throughout the telling  - that is how well the book sucked me in.

Who this book is for:

This is actually a great book for reluctant readers because of the series of shorter, can’t put down stories.  Kids interested in war stories will also enjoy this book

Final thoughts:

This book continued to open my eyes to so much of the courage and sacrifice that is exhibited by our armed troops on a daily basis. 

Purchase this book:
To purchase this book from Amazon, click on the following link: Under Fire in the Middle East (Behind Enemy Lines)  A portion of each purchase will go back to this blog at no cost to you.

Books That Make Math Fun for Kids

This week for Picture Book Friday I am giving you not one, but two books!  Try to contain your enthusiasm, you're emberassing me.  Of course the theme is math .... so I had to be additive and double your pleasure.  Ok enough puns for one post.

But seriously, picture books provide a wonderful vehicle for introducing more complex topics in a matter of fact way.  The first book I profiling is from a series that takes math concepts and makes them understandable for kids ... no really.  The second is about Paul Erdos, a well known mathematician from Budapest, although well known is perhaps a relative term.  This biography will actually get kids interested in the life of a mathematician ... no really.

Don't forget to Like One Great Book on Facebook or Twitter for all the math books you can count on to make learning fun for your kids.  See I did the pun thing again.  There is no stopping me today.

Title:       Sir Cumference and the Off-the-Charts Deserts

Author:   Cindy Neuschwander

Target:    All ages

Series:     Yes

What this book is about:
This series follows Sir Cumference on his journey to unwittingly understand math.  In this story he needs a baker to prepare a special desert for the fair.  Two bakers enter into a competition to see who makes the best delicacies, Pia of Chartres and Bart Graph.  Of course in order to tally their votes for various treats, Pia prepares a pie chart and Bart a bar graph.  But the real question is, of course, if  the townspeople want custard pie or ginger cookies!

Why I love this book:
The whole series is just delightful.  Sir Cumference explores circles, triangles, number grouping, perimeter and area, to name a few.  I see so many books trying to disguise math in a story, but kids are on to them.  This series embraces the math in a clever and unapologetic way, and it works!

I also rarely see books that are able to take these concepts and distill them down in an easy to understand format.  Cindy Neuschwander does just that.  To top it off, the story and the illustrations are actually fun so these books don’t feel like someone is trying to teach you something, but instead as if you are discovering the concept on your own.

Who this book is for:
I think most kids, whether math lovers or not, will enjoy this series of books. 

Final thoughts:
Can’t wait to see what math concept she tackles next!

Purchase this book:

To purchase this book on Amazon, click on the following link: Sir Cumference and the Off-the-charts Dessert (Charlesbridge Math Adventures)  A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.

Title:       The Boy Who Loved Math

Author:   Deborah Heiligman

Target:    Kindergarten - Grade 3

What this book is about:
This book is a biography of Paul Erdos, a mathematician from Budapest.  It starts when Paul is a young child, fascinated with numbers.  When he was four, Paul would ask visitors their birthday and then calculate how many seconds they had been alive.  His life is about how numbers and his desire to share their significance fill his days.  Meanwhile he doesn’t know how to do laundry, cut his meat or butter a slice of toast!  But his joy of sharing what he knows is what gave his life meaning.

Why I love this book:
There are several things that make this a successful biography for kids.  First the illustrations by LeUyen Pham are absolutely playful and they create the sense that numbers are fun and engaging.  Also the focus on Paul as a young man and on some of his personal quirks, make the story funny.  Kids like funny and as a result they will become more interested in the man himself.  Lastly, it is not about the math.  This book is about the enjoyment of a passion and sharing that passion and it shines through in the story.  The math lessons are simply a bonus!

Who this book is for:
Fun way to get kids interested in biographies.  This book is great for common core.  It is also a nice way to make the idea of math fun.

Final thoughts:
Next I would like to see The Girl Who Loved Math.  Yes, your instincts are correct, it is my daughter I have to get excited about this subject!

Purchase this book:

To purchase this book on Amazon, click on the following link: The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos  A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.

Fun Books for the Tween Girl

As tweens have more and more activities competing for their time, it is still important to encourage them to read.  A recent study out of University of London found that reading for pleasure was found to be more important for children's cognitive development in secondary school than the influence of their parents.  Like you need me to tell you reading is important!

This week I am focusing of the tween girl.  The first book I am profiling I found quite fascinating.  I would actually encourage parents to read it as well.  I think you and your daughter could have some fascinating discussions around the topic of virtual worlds.  The other two series are what I define as "beach reads."  These are fun books with smart girls, lots of action and little innocent romance on the side.

Don't forget to Like One Great Book on Facebook or Twitter for books with all the girl drama you can fit in one sitting!

Title:       Bubble World

Author:   Carol Snow

Target:    Grades 6 and up

Series:     No

What this book is about:
Fressia Summers lives in Agalinas, which is somewhere off the California coast, but where, Fressia is not exactly sure.  Her life is ideal.  She shops, goes to class (when the munchies are good) and attends parties well into the wee hours of the morning.  However, one day she wakes up in an unfamiliar place.  She is sitting in a lounge chair and staring in the mirror at a girl with bumpy skin and frizzy hair.  It turns out her parents have put her in the virtual world of Agalinas to get a superior education, and to help her socially.  Instead she has been living in a world outside of reality where no real learning takes place.  As the true nature of Agalinas is exposed, Fressia’s (or should I say Francine’s) virtual and real world is shaken.

Why I love this book:
This book has received mixed reviews and while I definitely saw some of the flaws in the book, I thought that the story was compelling, unique and it totally engaged me.  Perhaps I still remember what it was like to struggle in middle school and not feel particularly pretty or popular.  The idea of a place where all that goes away, I found quite intriguing.

I found Fressia’s challenges true to life.  The fact that she is so willing to go back to Agalinas when the opportunity presents itself, seemed very appropriate.  Real life is hard and when you are young, an easy out feels very compelling.  Fressia is also quite self centered at times, but given the world in which she has spent two years of her adolescence, it seemed appropriate.

Who this book is for:
Really interesting book for girls.  As much fun as it is to leave reality for a while, in the end, home is thankfully the more fulfilling choice.

Final thoughts:
The lyrics to Barbie Girl kept playing in my head the whole time I was reading this book!

To purchase this book from Amazon, click on the following link: Bubble World  A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.

Title:       I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You

Author:   Ally Carter

Target:    Grade 6 and up

Series:     Yes

What this book is about:

Cammie is a sophomore at Gallagher Academy, which it turns out is a top secret boarding school for spies in training.  Cammie can speak numerous languages, kill a man with her bare hands, and has read The Art of War - in Chinese.  However, the one language she can’t speak is boy.  As she and her friends navigate the world of covert operations, it is her crush on a boy in town that tests all her skills.  The one problem, he can never know the truth about her.

Why I love this book:

I am a fan of Ally Cater’s other series, Heist Society but I had never ventured into this one.  For some reason the covers just turned me off.  I thought they would have a little too much of the girl angst vibe.  I was surprised at how funny this book turned out to be.  They are really a light hearted romp in the world of teens coupled with a fun spy premise.

This is a book I would have loved as a tween.  Just enough humor and action to keep the story moving well, with a little innocent boy romance around the edges.

Who this book is for:

Girls who like more typical tween fare will love this fanciful story.

Final thoughts:

I so wish I could go to spy school!

To purchase this book from Amazon, click on the following link: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You (Gallagher Girls)  A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.

Title:       Oh My Gods

Author:   Tera Lynn Childs

Target:    Grades 6 and up

Series:     Yes

What this book is about:

Phoebe is a runner, it is what she lives for.  She is about to start her senior year of high school and has plans to run for USC.  However, when her mother comes home and announces that she is marrying a Greek stranger who runs an exclusive boarding school on an island in the Aegean, Phoebe has her doubts.  She is uprooted to a school, which it turns out, is an institution for the descendants of the Greek gods.  Since Phoebe is just a regular girl, she has to fit in with a group of kids who possess super powers.  How will she ever get to USC now?

Why I love this book:

Ok, while this book will not win any distinguished book awards, it is absolutely the stuff beach reads are made of.  There is a beautiful setting off the coast of the Aegean, conflict with cunning girls and a really cute boy.  I absolutely got caught up in the fun of the story.

I also like the main character Phoebe.  She is an athlete who isn’t focused on the latest trends but on just being herself and doing what she loves to do.  A nice role model.  The premise is a bit far fetched, but all in good fun.

Who this book is for:

Good girl read and also some nice tie ins with Greek mythology if there is an interest there.

Final thoughts:

Absolute chick lit!

To purchase this book from Amazon, click on the following link: Oh. My. Gods.  A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.

Thanksgiving Picture Books

So are you up for some Thanksgiving picture books?  I decided to shake things up this year with some books that may be new to you.  Do you want to know about the woman who saved Thanksgiving, or perhaps you may be wondering how the tradition of big balloons began at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade?  Well, wonder no longer!  There is a picture book for that.

And of course, being the traditionalist that I am, I have included one book about the poor turkey who finds himself the source of diner on Thanksgiving day - if I had a nickel for every one of those!   But they continue to delight my kids and it just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without seeing how our poor turkey finds his way out of his predicament, with great humor and silliness.

Don't forget to Like One Great Book on Facebook or Twitter for books filled with superheroes, balloons and pizza for Thanksgiving.  

Title:        Thank You, Sarah

Author:     Laurie Halse Anderson

Target:      Preschool - Grade 2

What this book is about:
You think you know everything about Thanksgiving!  Well do you know about Sarah Hale - because she is the women who saved Thanksgiving.  Not so sure of yourself now are you.  Well this book profiles Sarah, and when she saw Thanksgiving disappearing, especially with the dawn of Civil War, she fought to preserve it.  Did she call out the troops?  No! Did she load the cannons?  Of course not, she used her secret weapon .... a pen.  In this story Sarah shows us how the power of writing and perseverance can help us accomplish almost anything - even saving Thanksgiving for a nation!

Why I love this book:
Not only is this book inspirational, it is also funny with some over the top illustrations by Matt Faulkner.  While the story never takes itself too seriously, the message is clear - that one person can make a difference, with nothing mightier than a pen.  It is also a nice little history lesson, because it takes Sarah a longggg time to get Thanksgiving declared a national holiday!

Who this book is for:
Great story for kids and for parents who want a different take on the history of Thanksgiving.  It can also be used anytime during the year when you are teaching kids about how powerful their written word can be!

Final thoughts:
Even dainty little ladies can be superheroes!

To purchase this book, click here to connect to Amazon: Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving  A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog.

Title:        Balloons Over Broadway

Author:    Melissa Sweet

Target:     Preschool - Grade 2

What this book is about:
This is the story of Tony Sarg (rhymes with aargh) who designed the balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.  The book shares the ingenuity of Sarg at a young age, the origins of the parade, and how and why Sarg developed his large balloon creations to wow and amaze the parade goers.  

Why I love this book:
The topic of this book didn’t appeal to me much so I put off reading it for quite some time, despite some lovely picture book awards it garnered last year.  However, once I gave it a shot, I understood why the reviews have been so good.  My bad.

To begin with, the artwork is playful and inspired, by toys no less.  I was immediately drawn right into the visuals, which are watercolors and mixed media collages.  The story is also a good length for the target audience.  There is just enough information so that kids will feel that they have learned something without being overwhelmed.  

Who this book is for:
Kids who enjoy watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, to give them a sense of the history of the event.

Final thoughts:
This is just a fun, playful book with a sense of history and appreciation for the work of Tony Sarg.

To purchase this book, click here to connect to Amazon: Balloons over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade (Bank Street College of Education Flora Stieglitz Straus Award (Awards))  A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog.

Title:        Turkey Trouble

Author:    Wendi Silvano

Target:      Preschool - Grade 1

What this book is about:
Turkey has the same trouble every Thanksgiving - he’s the main course!  But what if this year he didn’t look like a turkey, instead he looked like another one of Farmer Jake’s animals?  As he tries to disguise himself as anything but a turkey, it is his final inspiration that makes this the best Thanksgiving ever!

Why I love this book:
The illustrations are fabulous, as turkey tries many disguises which are laugh out loud funny.  The author also uses some fun play on words, “Holy cow!” and “Quit being a ham” when turkey is dressed as a cow and pig respectively!

Who this book is for:
Fun Thanksgiving book for all kids.

Final thoughts:
Pizza really does go with everything!

To purchase this book, click here to connect to Amazon: Turkey Trouble  A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog.

Read a Book With Your Child

There are so many studies that tell us why reading aloud with kids is so important for their success in school.  But even if we throw those studies out the window we are left with a fundamental understanding as parents that reading with our kids is a good thing.

1. It allows us to create a common bond with our children.  We are sharing the experience of the story together.  My kids and I reference stories we have read in our everyday lives and this deepens our relationship.

2. It shows our kids that reading is important without preaching it to them.  Everyday I am telling my kids to do the things that are good for them.  I talk a lot!  But snuggling up and investing in a good narrative, is proof positive that books are important in this house - without doing anything more than experiencing a wonderful story together.

3.  It exposes my kids to information they might not have picked up on their own.  Whether the book itself felt intimidating, or the story itself just didn't seem like it was up their alley I choose the books I want to share with them.  More often than not they get completely hooked and get exposure to a new genre or just interesting information that would have never been absorbed otherwise.

Now a quick side note.  I have been know to stop a book after the first two chapters.  I never stick with something that is a dud.  That would just teach kids that their parents want to torture them, a lesson they get in many other ways throughout the day.

4.  This one may be personal, but it allows me to spend time in the day doing something I love.  I think it is rare for kids to get to see us (meaning their parents) engage in something that makes us absolutely happy.  Kids like to see their parents joyful, especially if they can be part of the reason for that good experience.

This week I have some wonderful selections.  A new offering from Kate DiCamillo is always something to celebrate.  But how about a book from Neil Gaiman, author of the Newbery winning The Graveyard Book?  His new story is certainly a departure from his award wining fare in its abosolute silliness and absurdity.  Finally I have tapped into a classic author, Richard Peck.  His books always evoke a more old fashioned form of storytelling, but he manages to keep the stories current so while the sensibility is more classic, the narrative is not dated.

Don't forget to Like One Great Book on Facebook or Twitter for more great books that will have your children spellbound by your reading prowess.  Oh come on, that sounds pretty good, doesn't it?

Title:       Flora & Ulysses

Author:   Kate DiCamillo

Target:    Grades 3-6

Series:     No

What this book is about:
Flora is a self avowed cynic.  Her parents are recently separated, and her mother is all consumed with her romance novel writing.  Flora is a fan of the comic strip The Amazing Incandesto about a powerful superhero, so despite her cynicism, she does believe that regular creatures can “conquer villains, defend the defenseless and protect the weak.”  However, when an unassuming squirrel gets sucked up into a vacuum cleaner and develops superpowers of his own, it is up to Flora to make sure that he fulfills his destiny.

Why I love this book:
I will admit upfront that I am a sucker for anything written by Kate DiCamillo.  This book is a little unusual in that it has small sections of comic strips used to move the story along.  It was an interesting touch and they seemed to appear during the parts of the story where the most action was taking place, giving the reader a visual account of more of the physical aspects of the narrative.

This book is extremely rich in vocabulary.  Kids will not be able to leave this story without being exposed to “malfeasance” “surreptitious action”  and “a capacious heart” to name a few.  Flora is smart, sensitive and surrounded by a host of eccentric characters that make the story both comical and heartwarming.

What I love best in the story, however, is the messages of love and forgiveness that is at the heart of the tale.  The wonderfully vocabulary,  characters and poetry writing squirrel are just a bonus.

Who this book is for:
This is the hardest question for me.  DiCamillo is a wonderful author because she is able to create stories that expose our hearts to bigger truths than we see everyday.  This book is no exception.  But sometimes kids need a little help seeing something bigger than themselves, or even bigger than the basic plot in the story.  That, and the vocabulary are why I think this book will make a wonderful read aloud.  The ability to talk with your kids about the expressive word choices and the larger messages about humanity will really bring out the best in this story.

Final thoughts:
”Holly bagumba!” DiCamillo has created a lovely story.  I always feel a little guilty comparing so I will say that while this didn’t match my favorite stories by her, I certainly had a pleasant journey through this tale.

To purchase this book from Amazon, please click on the following link: Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures  A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.

Title:       Fortunately, the Milk

Author:   Neil Gaiman

Target:    Grades 2-4

Series:     No

What this book is about:
When a boy and his sister wake one morning to find they are out of milk, their father volunteers to go get some.  It takes him an awfully long time to return and when he does, he recounts the adventures he has had getting this milk home.  Let’s just say there are aliens who want to remodel the planet earth, pirates, Stegosaurus Professor’s in time machines, ponies and vampires.  But fortunately the milk is always with him so that he can provide his children with a lovely breakfast!

Why I love this book:
This book is full of crazy stories and nonstop nonsense which will delight kids.  The illustrations by Skottie Young are a perfect complement as they border on absurd, just like the story.  The milk manages to be rescued after every adventure, assuring our kids a well balanced meal!

Who this book is for:
This book would make a fun read aloud for the younger grades and a nice book to read alone for kids ready for chapter books.

Final thoughts:
No milk required to enjoy this book, although reading it with a milk mustache is highly encouraged!

To purchase this book from Amazon, please click on the following link: Fortunately, the Milk  A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.



Title:       The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail

Author:   Richard Peck

Target:    Grades 3-6

Series:     No

What this book is about:

Our small nameless mouse has no idea where he came from, but he is in the care of the seamstress Marigold who lives under the stables at Buckingham Palace.  She sends him to school where he is bullied.  In a fit to get away, he encounters humans, while he is in his school uniform.  Allowing a human to see a mouse dressed is a big no no, so our mouse feels he can’t return home.  This leads to an adventure outside the stable walls, to places he has never seen before.  Will he find his place in this world and his name?

Why I love this book:

This is a charming story.  I found it to be a bit old fashioned in its telling, but that was part of the appeal.  Mouse is on a hunt to find his place, and he gets to meet new people including an encounter with a horse, the queen’s guard and bats in the tower.  He also goes on new adventures he never dreamed possible.  While the ending is a bit predicable I think for the younger audience the ending will be a surprise.

Who this book is for:

This book will not be for every child.  Kids who like the quaint animal stories will devour this one, but for kids who like action and a faster pace, this is not their book.  I also think this book would make a lovely read aloud. 

Final thoughts:

The illustrations were quite an endearing addition to the story!

To purchase this book from Amazon, please click on the following link: The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail  A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.

Cheetah Can't Lose for Picture Book Friday

It's Picture Book Friday and there is no holding me back!  Today, I am profiling a book by Bob Shea.  I actually got to see this book before it was published when Bob came to my kid's school last year, so it was quite exciting to enjoy the finished product.  I know that his other new book Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great has been garnering a lot of attention lately, and while I enjoyed the book, Cheetah was just more fun for me to read to kids.  While it may be the book with less fanfare, I do think it is the one with more kid appeal!

Don't forget to Like One Great Book of Facebook or Twitter for "can't lose" book choices for kids (see how I pulled the book name in there ... pretty clever right?)

Title:       Cheetah Can't Lose

Author:   Bob Shea

Target:    Preschool - Grade 3

What this book is about:
It's the day of the big race and Cheetah is ready to go.  He knows he is the fastest cat around and that the kittens really have no chance of winning ... or do they?  The little cats devise a series of pre race contests designed to slow Cheetah down, and with Cheetah's big ego, he falls for everyone of them.  But when the little cats prevail in the big race, will they take the prize or perhaps realize that winning the wrong way never feels quite right?  Well, you will just have to read the book to see how this one turns out.  You're on pins and needles ... I can tell.

Why I love this book:
Great humor for both adults and kids in this book.  You won't mind reading it many times over!  There are just so many fun things to play up in this story.  Cheetah's big ego provides a bevy of comic moments that as the reader you can easily get into the character and have kids laughing at his antics.

I also enjoyed the illustrations which are used to move the story along.  Our little cats don't admit what they are doing to Cheetah, but it is written all over their faces.  The kids can find clues to their intent in the pictures.

Who this book is for:
A good choice for kids who love to laugh and get caught up in a good story.

Final thoughts:
Another winner for Bob Shea!  Give this guy a medal.

Books Full of Adventure and Mystery for Kids

I have to admit that I like a good mystery as much as the next gal.  Throw in some action and adventure and I am hooked.  Of course I always like to try and guess the ending, which drives my husband and kids nuts at a movie theater or even on the couch watching TV, but a girls gotta guess when a girls gotta guess!

I love mysteries for kids because they have to pay attention to the clues in the text and they begin to get a better sense of foreshadowing.  These traits will only help them as they move on to different types of stories.  Learning while enjoying a good story - what could be better?

The books I picked this week are great.  Lockwood and Co. is just a standout.  This is that book that you finish and just say "Wow!"  Down the Rabbit Hole is a perfect book for kids transitioning from kid fare to adult or YA books.  The plot is just a little more sophisticated but there is nothing inappropriate  for the younger set.  And finally Death Cloud which is the young life of Sherlock Holmes and is perfect for kids who are moving on from the Alex Rider series.  All the covers have been redone, and none too soon I might add.  The original book jacket made Sherlock look like he was part of a boy band!

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Title:Lockwood & Co.

Author:Jonathan Stroud

Target:Grades 4-8

Series:This is the first book in a planned series

What this book is about:
England has been invaded by Visitors, which are ghosts that inhabit dwellings or objects of significance to their death.  Only certain children can directly see or hear these ghosts so they are the ones who can exterminate them.  While some ghosts are only a mild nuisance, others harbor anger and resentment which cause them to hurt or kill the living.  Lucy Carlyle joins Lockwood & Co., one of the extermination companies.  After a job gone wrong, the agency is in peril of closing, so Lucy and her two partners, must take on one of England’s most haunted houses to keep the company afloat.  No one else has survived the night in this house, so why should it be different for them?

Why I love this book:
Oh, this was a fabulous book.  My son had read the Bartimaeus Trilogy, written by the same author, so I had a feeling this series would be good.  Stroud manages to capture the eerie and frightening moments with perfect morbidity, however, he also is able to use the humor of the characters to significantly lighten the mood without destroying the tone of the book.  

Now the three partners Lucy, Anthony and George are just wonderful together.  Lucy can hear the ghosts, Anthony can see them and George is meticulous with research.  But I don’t want you to think of them as cliche.  They are wonderfully drawn out, with nuanced relationships.  By the end of the story I had very clear and crisp pictures of these three in my head.

Who this book is for:
Any child who likes a little fright but has worked their way past the Goosebumps series.  Also, any kids who like a good mystery with charismatic characters and a rousing adventure thrown in.

Final thoughts:
This is perhaps one of my favorite new series this year.  Just fabulous (I know I said that already, but I am going for emphasis through repetition!)

To purchase this book from Amazon, click on the following link: Lockwood & Co. The Screaming Staircase  A portion of each purchase will go to support this blog at no cost to you.

Title:Down the Rabbit Hole

Author:Peter Abrahams

Target:Grades 5-8

Series:Yes

What this book is about:

Ingrid is a thirteen year old girl who plays soccer, has the lead in the local community play and leaves her soccer cleats at the home of a woman who has been murdered!  Since she was somewhere she wasn’t supposed to be, she sneaks back to get her cleats, only to discover evidence about the murderer.  As it turns out, there is a connection between the murder and the local community theater.  She realizes that the only way to get out of all the trouble she has found herself in, is to solve the murder herself, but doing so could prove more dangerous than she suspected.

Why I love this book:

This is the first book that Abrahams, an adult writer, has written for kids and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  The characters are well written and felt like they had some depth to them.  I also enjoyed the mystery, and while the “who done it” was not too hard to figure out for an adult, I think that kids will be surprised.  The clues are given out very judiciously and wrapped up nicely at the end.

There was also some good suspense and just enough information to keep us worried about Ingrid throughout the novel.

Who this book is for:

Nice mystery book, but kids don’t have to be into mysteries to enjoy it.  I think that kids who like the Sammy Keyes novels or The Red Blazer Girls will really like this series.

Final thoughts:

I found myself reading through this book quite quickly.  It was hard to put down!

To purchase this book from Amazon, click on the following link: Down the Rabbit Hole (An Echo Falls Mystery)  A portion of each purchase will go to support this blog at no cost to you.

Title:       Death Cloud

Author:   Andrew Lane

Target:    Grade 6-9

Series:     Yes

What this book is about:
Think Sherlock Holmes, the teenage years.  Sherlock is sent away for the summer to live with his Aunt and Uncle outside of London.  While he anticipates a dreary summer, it turns out to be anything but.  When two locals die, Holmes gets suspicious.  With the help of a local ruffian and his new tutor, Holmes learns how to collect information to make educated deductions to solve the case.

Why I love this book:
It was really a lot of fun to get a look at Sherlock Holmes in the early years.  This book is endorsed by the Arthur Conan Doyle Estate, so it stays true to what has been written about the character. 

The book is also full of action, and in fact that is the one problem I had with it.  Occasionally the action is overwhelming and eclipses some of the more interesting investigative components.  But it is a non stop ride that I think many readers will enjoy.

Who this book is for:
Fans of Alex Rider will enjoy this book.  Kids who enjoy a lot of action, but also so intelligent reasoning!

Final thoughts:
Don’t let the cover scare you away, they have all been changed for the better.  No boy need be embarrassed carrying it around anymore.  Unfortunately this was the only copy of the book I had.

To purchase this book from Amazon, click on the following link: Death Cloud (Sherlock Holmes: the Legend Begins)  A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.

Mr. Wuffles for Picture Book Friday

Oh, the wordless picture book.  I have to admit that these books rarely capture my attention.  You would think for someone who likes to talk as much as I do, this genre of picture book would be tailored made.  But, alas, I usually find myself feeling a little silly trying to "tell" the story.

But then I saw this wonderful video with the author Henry Cole, reading his wordless picture book Unspoken (thank you to Novalibrarymom for the link.)  For some reason it made a lightbulb go off in my head as I realized that reading these books is like a treasure hunt in pictures.  You and your child can take the journey together as you find more clues in the illustrations about the personality of the characters and how the plot is moving along.  My kids have enjoyed "hunting" for clues or just putting their own spin on things in these books.

The book I am profiling this week is chock full of great illustrations with wonderful details to discover. If you have ever wanted to give a wordless picture book a try, this is the one!  I am including the video of Henry Cole after the book review.  I do think it is well worth watching even if his tone of voice remains quite even keeled throughout.  You'll see what I mean!

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Title:       Mr. Wuffles!

Author:   David Wiesner

Target:    Preschool - Grade 3

What this book is about:
Told without words, this is the story of Mr. Wuffles the cat, who is tired of the plethora of cat toys his owner purchases for him.  However, one particular spaceship catches his eye.  It turns out that it is not a toy at all, but real aliens from outer space.  As these aliens battle the cat and befriend the ants and ladybugs under the radiator they manage to escape unharmed.  However, don’t expect Mr. Wuffles to play with the regular cat toys after this close encounter.

Why I love this book:
Ok, I am not a huge fan of wordless picture books.  I worry that I just won’t have the words to make them interesting.  When I first flipped through this one, I found it mildly amusing but I think I “read” it too fast, missing quite a few of the subtler moments in the illustrations.  I gave it a go with my kids, simply because my daughter likes cats, and I was amazed by their enthusiastic reception.  They were laughing, engaged and finding pieces of the story in the pictures.  

I have to say that I would flip through this book before I attempted to read it to a child.   When you are familiar with the story, it is a lot easier to guide your kids to relevant moments in the illustrations and they will love finding things that move the story along.  We had so much fun with this one that they were still talking about it at diner that night.

Who this book is for:
If you are willing to invest the time in this book, all kids can enjoy it.

Final thoughts:
Probably the best experience I have had reading a wordless book.  The more comfortable I get with this form, the more fun and flexibility I realize the reader has ... but there are still a few that elude me.

To purchase this book from Amazon, click on the following link: Mr. Wuffles!  A portion of each purchase goes to support this blog at no cost to you.

And as promised, the video on reading wordless picture books to kids: