ARMSTRONG & CHARLIE by Steven B. Frank. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017. 298p. ISBN: 9780544826083 hc. $16.99 Gr. 5-9 J FIC
The boys meet when Armstrong's parents enroll him in Opportunity Busing to Charlie's school for a voluntary integration program. Suspicions and conflicts during their sixth grade year eventually shift to understanding and friendship, not only with the boys, but with their families and friends. Though set during turbulent times in the 1970's, the novel is very accessible to preteen readers. The wording is such that it could very well be set in the present day.
Janet Edwards, Library Aide, Bothwell Middle School Library, Marquette, MI
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
PANDORA by Victoria Turnbull. Illus. by author. New York: Clarion Books, 2017. 32p. ISBN 978-0544-947337 hc. $16.99 Gr. K-3 E PIC
Pandora, a personified fox, lived alone in a house furnished with restored items she found in the trash heaps that surrounded her house. One day a bird landed on the trash pile with a broken wing. Pandora wasn't sure how to repair a living item, but she slowly nursed the bird back to health. After constructing a beautiful nest from twigs and flowers, the bird flew off into the sky, leaving Pandora alone once again. Surrendering to overwhelming sadness, Pandora didn't notice the various plants growing from seeds in the bird nest, creating ground cover for the endless trash heaps around her house. The new growth attracted living creatures - new friends in a new world for Pandora. Turnbull's watercolor illustrations are detailed and beautiful, enhancing the storytelling experience.
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
MAE AND JUNE AND THE WONDER WHEEL by Charise Mericle Harper. Illus. by Ashley Spires. New York: Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt, 2017. 120p. ISBN 978-0-544-630635 hc. $15.99 Grades 1-3 J FIC
The first installment in this new chapter book series introduces readers to June and her family, which includes Sammy, a talking dog that only June can hear, older sister Isabella, and her supportive parents. June's criteria for good friends is that they be "Fun! Friendly! Full of Adventure!" Not everyone fits into that job description, until Mae and her family move in across the street. Mae and June try to cultivate a friendship, amid challenges at school and with family, but end up ready to be best friends for a long time to come. The large print, short chapters, and Spires' cartoon-like illustrations throughout the book make pleasant reading for early elementary students. Harper also wrote the JUST GRACE series for a similar audience of young readers.
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI
The first installment in this new chapter book series introduces readers to June and her family, which includes Sammy, a talking dog that only June can hear, older sister Isabella, and her supportive parents. June's criteria for good friends is that they be "Fun! Friendly! Full of Adventure!" Not everyone fits into that job description, until Mae and her family move in across the street. Mae and June try to cultivate a friendship, amid challenges at school and with family, but end up ready to be best friends for a long time to come. The large print, short chapters, and Spires' cartoon-like illustrations throughout the book make pleasant reading for early elementary students. Harper also wrote the JUST GRACE series for a similar audience of young readers.
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
MEMOIRS OF A PARROT by Devin Scillian. Illus. by Tim Bowers. Ann Arbor, MI: Sleeping Bear Press, 2016. 32p. ISBN 978-1-58536962-1 hc. $16.99 Gr. K-3 E PIC
Day One - Brock reveals the inner thoughts of a parrot living in Wilbur's Pet Shop. This opinionated parrot prefers the company of the other animals in the shop to the strange people who try to coax a few words from him. Six days later, he's been sold to Todd, a ukulele playing young man who names him "Echo" and attempts to teach him to talk. Readers catch on that the parrot already knows how to talk and has an abundance of sarcastic wit. On the positive side, Todd is generous with crackers for his parrot who promptly drops them into the toaster for a crispy treat. Todd and "Echo" don't hit it off at first, until a cracker starts to burn inside the toaster, creating clouds of smoke. Quick action on the parts of Todd and his beloved pet save the day and ignite the flame of mutual respect. Tim Bowers' large colorful illustrations add another dimension to the story, especially the distinct facial expressions of animals and humans alike. This is the fourth in a series of books by Scillian and Bowers - "Memoirs of a Goldfish" (2010), "Memoirs of a Hamster" (2013), and "Memoirs of an Elf" (2014).
Day One - Brock reveals the inner thoughts of a parrot living in Wilbur's Pet Shop. This opinionated parrot prefers the company of the other animals in the shop to the strange people who try to coax a few words from him. Six days later, he's been sold to Todd, a ukulele playing young man who names him "Echo" and attempts to teach him to talk. Readers catch on that the parrot already knows how to talk and has an abundance of sarcastic wit. On the positive side, Todd is generous with crackers for his parrot who promptly drops them into the toaster for a crispy treat. Todd and "Echo" don't hit it off at first, until a cracker starts to burn inside the toaster, creating clouds of smoke. Quick action on the parts of Todd and his beloved pet save the day and ignite the flame of mutual respect. Tim Bowers' large colorful illustrations add another dimension to the story, especially the distinct facial expressions of animals and humans alike. This is the fourth in a series of books by Scillian and Bowers - "Memoirs of a Goldfish" (2010), "Memoirs of a Hamster" (2013), and "Memoirs of an Elf" (2014).
Lynette Suckow, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI
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