Book Reviews

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How the World Works

March 1, 2010

One of the most special books I have seen recently is from the Pop-Up category.  This is identified as  ”A  hands-on guide to our amazing planet.” HOW THE WORLD WORKS  by Christiane Dorian , illustrated by Beverley Young  (Candlewick Press,  2010,  $17.99) is truly an amazing enterprise.  The book is loosely based on a series of questions young readers might ask.  For example the first question is “What on earth happened?”And answers “astronomers think that 13.7 billion years ago the whole universe emerged from a tiny invisible dot.” (The Big Bang Theory) This leads to information about the planets, the sun, asteroids and comets.

Then nearly 4.6 billion years ago the earth, in a section called Our World, is formed.
This opening is followed by  sections as “When did life begin?” followed by questions  How did life begin? Is the earth moving beneath our feet? Then on to questions about weather, plants, the sea, etc.  The responses to each query are very basic and provide enough information to satisfy the young inquisitive mind.

The format will have great appeal to young readers.  As questions are raised various methods of pop-up structures are there to be opened and/ or investigated. The artwork is attractive and provides ample information to lead the reader to more exacting scientific answers and details.

Usually I have found most pop-up books, with the exception of those done by Robert Sabuda, inadequate and many very fragile making them not appropriate for youngest hands and fingers. This one however, is built more sturdy and useable. Personally, I found this book filled with good information directed at young readers say, grs. 2-4.

By Frank Hodge | Posted in Picture Books | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Young Zeus

March 1, 2010

It is never too early to introduce young readers to the world of mythology.  Many later stories and allusions are based on mythology. So I heartily endorse and recommend an “irreverent retelling of the myth of Zeus”. (Quote from book jacket) YOUNG ZEUS  by G. Brian Karas   (Scholastic Press,  2010,  $17.99).

The story opens with Rhea giving her son, Zeus, to an enchanted she-goat on the isle of Crete. Rhea tells that she fears  Zeus’ father Cronus will harm the baby boy.  On the isle Zeus has a happy childhood but when he questions why he has no playmates, he learns that Cronus, fearing he might be overthrown by one of his own children,  did away with all his siblings. His mother, Rhea, gives Zeus a stinky potion to use whenever he catches up with his father.  Eventually he finds Cronus sleeping and pours the potion into his open mouth. And while doing this Zeus sings, ” One, two, three, four, five,You swallowed my brothers and sisters alive.  Now drink this stuff — set them free! For I am ZEUS , you didn’t eat me!”  Zeus organizes everything and everyone. Thus he becomes ruler of heaven and earth.

It is a bit simplified, yes, but the story is there.  The artwork is splendid  and reinforces the irreverence beautifully.

Greek Mythology Zeus —  humorous retelling   elementary level

By Frank Hodge | Posted in Upper Elementary | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Hot Rod Hamster

March 1, 2010

HOT ROD HAMSTER by Cynthia Lord, pictures by Derek Anderson (Scholastic Press,  2010,  $16.99) is an interactive picture book in which a hamster builds a hot rod.  The young readers work with him in refurbishing a small green car. As each item is added the author ends the page with ,” Which would you choose?”  The hamster ends up with tires that burn rubber, a motor that roars, and a helmet. Now he is ready to roll.

Of special note here is the way the author uses such vibrant language. After the car is made ready to roll and the hamster is lined up at the starting line she writes, “Stare face, scowl face, frowning grouchy-growl face, Bored face, dare face, nose up in the air face.” And the illustrator very cleverly has drawn other drivers for each of the descriptive phrases in the text.  Throughout this remarkable book the art is spectacular.  Very colorful, active, expressive especially the wee hamster.  A truly delightful book guaranteed to hold every future race car driver spellbound yet hilarious.

By Frank Hodge | Posted in Picture Books | Comments (1)

Shooting Kabul

January 31, 2010

The news recently has been full of  war stories happening in Afghanistan.  For many young people the part of the world is unfamiliar. Unfortunately stories out of this country will make headlines and news probably for many years to come. To fill in the gaps for young readers I would highly  recommend SHOOTING KABUL by N.H. Senzai (A Paula Wiseman book, Simon and Schuster Book for Young Readers, 2010. $16.99.  June 2010).

This story opens as eleven year old Fadi is staring out a cab backseat window one starry night.  Fadi, his parents and two sisters are fleeing from Kabul, Afghanistan,  heading to Jalalabad in the eastern part of the country.  Fadi’s father has given him a charge to watch over his six year old sister, Mariam. The taxi leaves the family at an abandoned site where they will be collected and taken the final part of their journey into Pakistan. When the truck arrives, other refugees hiding at the site rush to board.  Fadi refuses to put his sister’s Barbie doll in his jacket and in the confusion she slips out of his hand. She is swept into the crowd and, when they arrive, Mariam is not with them. She has been left behind.

After trying valiantly to locate the child, the family continues on its flight to America where they will seek asylum. Fadi is stricken with guilt over his minor role in the sister’s disappearance.

His father with a PHD in agriculture lands a job driving taxi; the older sister, Noor, starts working at MacDonalds and Fadi starts middle school in Freemont California. His mother is not well over worry about Mariam. As one might imagine Fadi faces multiple problems adjusting to school.  Conflicts arise and get resolved in a variety of ways

The particular importance of this book to me was in the blending of the coming of age of Fadi and the history of Afghanistan. At no time does the author ever interrupt the narrative to give the reader a history lesson. Instead history is brought out naturally as the characters talk, react to each other, and generally go about their daily living. Concerns over Osama, the Taliban , President Karzai  all surface especially after the terror attack in New York and Washington. Now the concerns over their Muslim faith  surfaces and must be confronted.

The story is captivating and will hold any readers’ interest. A Glossary of terms and suggested other writings are included at the end of the book. One writing in particular I know is very helpful in explaining the Taliban’s effect on the country.  Ellis, Deborah  PARVANA’S JOURNEY , Groundwood Books, 2004.   Appropriate for any reader grade 5 and up.

By Frank Hodge | Posted in Middle School, Upper Elementary | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Waggit Forever

January 31, 2010

I must admit I have never been one for series.  I seem to like my stories all tied up in one neat package. However, I have to make an exception when it comes to the series by  Peter Howe. The books about Waggit , the abandoned dog, have held me spellbound through all three volumes.  The third book WAGGIT FOREVER by Peter Howe, drawings by Omar Rayyan  (HarperCollins,  2020, $16.99. May 2010) finds Waggit and the other dogs in their family being forced to leave their shelter in the city park.  It seems foodstuffs are becoming more and more scarce so the dogs will soon be forced to scavenge outside the safety of the large park. On the advice of a city dog group’s  leader,  Waggit’s group is advised to leave and journey through the dangerous city to another much larger and more remote park facility. They will be escorted in groups to avoid any contacts with the humans, particularly the dreaded dog-wardens.

Needless to say this journey is fraught with dangers. Many of the dogs are older now and travel is very difficult. At one point in the story
an abandoned skate board is discovered and ultimately used to transport an ailing member. They make the trip safely through the intervention of their long standing friendship with a financially well-off semi- derelict old lady. She speaks dog language and is able to secure veterinary help for the injured leader shortly before they arrive at their new home.

During the leader’s absence, Waggit is forced to assume the role.  While he enjoys the adulation, he regrets terribly the loss of privacy. When the leader returns all healed and ready to resume his role, Waggit is happy and sets about exploring and searching for other lost and thrown away dogs.

The reader leaves each volume of this  series hopeful and happy.  The earlier books are WAGGIT’S TALE and WAGGIT’S AGAIN. These would make tremendous readalouds for grades 3 through 5 or even 6th. It is a series so well crafted with humor, suspense and loving characters .  If a child is breathing, I can almost guarantee he/she will fall in love completely with Waggit.

By Frank Hodge | Posted in Middle School, Upper Elementary | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Blindsided

January 31, 2010

A remarkable young adult author whose earlier book RED KAYAK was a must-read recommendation from me, has done it again in her latest BLINDSIDED by Priscilla Cummings  (Dutton, 2010, $16.99. July 2010). In this story we meet 14 year old Natalie. She’s a typical young girl does well in school and has many friends.  Her life is turned upside down, when on a recent visit to the eye doctor she is told she will soon be blind.

After the news is accepted, Natalie’s family arranges for her to attend a School for the Blind. Her eyesight at this point is still functioning on a limited basis and the family feels this will help Natalie when all of her sight is gone. Initially Natalie is withdrawn and tries to weather this new school without any companionship. She starts out as a single but son is assigned a roommate.

Learning how to function safely as a blind person is a challenge at first. However, as she loses more and more of her extremely limited sight she adapts and learns quickly.  One of the major exams, going alone to a shopping center, she passes successfully. Natalie seems to be well on her way to being able to survive independently and successfully as a blind person.

When her roommate leaves school on her own  and needs rescuing , Natalie is called on for help. This real situation has none of the safety features provided during Natalie’s exam and she is truly put to the test. The suspense builds and builds as the two blind girls are on their own in an attempt to return to the safety of the school.

In addition to a marvelous story of Natalie’s fight to learn life as a blind person. there is much  information on how a blind person is trained to be independent. The story is intriguing and should easily capture the interest of any middle-schooler or high school boy or girl. There is even a developing love interest for Natalie and a male student at the school.

By Frank Hodge | Posted in High School, Middle School | Tagged , , | Comments (1)

Take Me With You

January 22, 2010

TAKE ME WITH YOU  by Carolyn Marsden (Candlewick Press,  March 2010, $14.99) brings the reader into a home in Milan, Italy, for babies abandoned  after WWII.  The girls, Susanna and Pina are best friends and have lived at the Istituto di Gesu Bambino  as long as they can remember. We meet the friends at a Sunday  service where some potential adopters are present.  The girls know they are not considered candidates as they each have a parent in contact with the orphanage.

The nuns run the facility with iron gloves and offer little sympathy to the girls. To earn money for upkeep the nuns put the girls to work doing various jobs. At one point they crochet black berets to wear and sell; other times they are taken into the city of MIlan to sing at funerals and wakes. The two friends are constantly thinking of the parent(s) who have left them there.

They know Pina’s mother was sent a telegram but never responded. The girls get the address of the telegram and head into the city to approach Pina’s mother. Shortly thereafter Susanna’s US Navy father makes contact and arranges a visit at the Instituto.

Things seem to be looking up for the girls.  But in an attempt to emulate a saint suffering the stigmata and bring more suffering into her life, Susanna falls very ill. Her father’s reappearance after all these years aids greatly in her recovery. Pina however meets a different kind of reception.

By the end of a very quick moving story both girls are in  much improved positions with  more positive futures.

This author has written so many distinguished books for young readers independently and has co-authored a significant  number also.

By Frank Hodge | Posted in Middle School, Upper Elementary | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

The Birthday Ball

January 22, 2010

A beloved friend is back to her humorous self.  I first met Lois Lowry through her hilarious stories about Anastia Krupnik. These very funny stories brought laughter to many young readers. Lois then went on to win medals for such titles as THE GIVER and NUMBER THE STARS. This very versatile author is comfortable no matter what subject matter is being treated.

Her newest book, THE BIRTHDAY BALL , with illustrations by Jules Feiffer (Houghton Mifflin, 16.00  April  2010) brings us Princess Patricia Priscilla about to turn sixteen.  This age is crucial for at her birthday ball she will select her husband from a group of “unappealing” suitors. And unappealing is a subject Lois handles most adroitly. She manages to make each suitor more unattractive than the others.

Princess Patricia Priscilla is not one to wait around for the fickle finger of fate.  No, she disguises  herself as a peasant girl, sheds her shoes and enrolls in the village school where she meets a young and handsome schoolmaster. Marveling at what she learns about the other children, she soon develops friendships unheard of in her former life.

The day of the ball arrives, the suitors are in house, the festivities begin. Who will claim the prize of the princess and the kingdom? Never try to out guess Lois Lowry.  Remember the schoolmaster was young and handsome  and actually from a noble family!

The whole package here is splendid fun.  The independent princess, her personal staff who becomes absorbed in reading ALICE IN WONDERLAND, the students of the village school, the bizarre suitors  combine to make rollicking happy read.

The artwork is typical Jules Feiffer and adds form and body to Lois’ characters.  This is an genius combination of talents. Fun for all readers no matter the age.  Independent readers grade 4 and up.

By Frank Hodge | Posted in Middle School, Upper Elementary | Tagged , | Comments (0)

The Listeners

January 22, 2010

Every school library collection should have copies of the series, TALES OF YOUNG AMERICANS, published by Sleeping Bear Press. This Press is an imprint of Gale, a part of Cengage Learning. One of their frequent authors, Gloria Whelan, has an exciting new book, THE LISTENERS , Illustrated by MIKE BENNY (2010, $17.95)

The story revolves around slave children Ella May, Bobby and Sue. Ella May works in the fields from dawn to dusk, but her work does not end after dusk.  Then she collects the other two children and they head for their master’s house.  Once there they settle themselves on the ground outside the window.  Here they have been instructed to listen to the family conversation and report any pertinent information to the other slaves back in the quarters.

On this night their master is particularly angry as he reports to his family “I can’t believe Abraham Lincoln has been elected president. … Lincoln is a madman!  He says slavery is wrong! He says slavery must end!” The children run quickly back with this news. Father is elated and says. “We see the road, but we don’t see all the way to where the ending is.  We got to know how long is that road and how we get down it.”

Listening for the children simply has only  begun.

The artist for this volume is a Society of Illustrators multi-award winner.  The paintings take the reader into the scene making each page a lively picture of life back then.  The children are truly childlike, eager and delighted to be doing such an important task. With each volume in this series the artwork is extraordinary,  making each story a treasure to behold.

By Frank Hodge | Posted in Picture Books | Tagged , | Comments (1)

Finding Danny

December 22, 2009

I do not believe there is a child anywhere who does not have a soft spot in his/her heart for a lost animal. That animal could be literally anything from a horse down to a wee white mouse.

So, when FINDING DANNY by Linzi Glass (Walden Pond Press, an imprint of HarperCollins,  May 2010, $16.99) arrived I sat down and started to read it immediately. For the next two hours I sat transfixed. I joined character Bree as her life became upside down after her beloved dog, Danny, disappeared one day.

Bree has other family problems with both her parents absent often in pursuit of developing media related careers.  When Danny first is gone, Bree valiantly searches her immediate locked secure neighborhood. Immediately beyond her area, Bree finds Danny’s collar stuck in a hedge. The collar her broken apart so Danny is on the loose.

Now begins the real heart of this story.  Bree goes the usual route of checking shelters all to no avail. At one point Bree risks her life to prevent a dog from being run over by a speeding car.  The dog’s owner, Rayleen, is associated with Vox Street Animal Shelter, a no-kill shelter. Soon  Bree is deeply involved.
Rayleen is truly a character.  She travels in a truck with 9-10 dogs along. She has come to this shelter basically because they are in great need and soon might be forced to put some dogs to sleep.  Bree is aghast at this prospect and gets involved in plans to save the animals and the shelter.

While all of the activity is getting Bree’s attention  her family life and school life are becoming more and more involved.  In school Bree is assigned a role in English class where she will be playing queen to the most popular boy,  Ashton, playing king. She has a minor tiff with her mother, the TV reporter, and her father is off reporting another incident.

Bree always of the lookout for her dog Danny,  soon becomes immersed in Rescue work. This rescue work  consumes Bree and her family and friends. This truly is the meat of the story and make s a dramatic pitch to get more young people involved in rescue work at shelters.

What the young people in the story do can serve as a model for youngster anywhere. Cruelty and abandonment are serious problems in society today.  Getting young people involved should help educate all of us to alleviate some of these problems. The ending, of course, is happy, but I felt deserving for our young heroine. She has surmounted various obstacles but has done so with logic and hard work–good examples for young readers of today.

By Frank Hodge | Posted in Middle School, Upper Elementary | Tagged , | Comments (0)