Suggestions Welcome!

Is there a book that you would like me to review? Do you have a favorite you'd like to share? Please feel free to leave a comment on this post and tell me! I welcome all suggestions!

Dear Whiskers by Ann Whitehead Nagda

Dear Sameera,
I am a mouse.
I live in your desk.

When Jenny's fourth grade class is assigned to write letters to second graders, Jenny's a little excited about it.

But then she picks a funny name for her pen pal: Sameera. What kind of a name is Sameera? Jenny's best friend Richard had picked a boy named Eric. Smart, fussy Susan had a pen pal named Daniel. Really nice ordinary names.

Worse, the fourth graders are supposed to pretend to be mice writing the letters. What do mice write letters about? What do mice do? Jenny really hates this part of the project.

And, worst of all, Sameera never writes back! Doesn't she like Jenny's letters? Maybe she thinks "Whiskers" is a dumb name for a mouse. Or maybe she hates Jenny.

Jenny has two choices: try talking to her pen pal, or trade her in for a different second grader. But there's something Jenny doesn't know yet about Sameera...

Father and Son Read-Aloud Stories retold by Robert Gould

This collection of well-loved tales (Puss in Boots, The Lion and the Mouse, Jack and the Beanstalk, and more) are perfectly adapted for sharing between the men of the family. Though the core stories remain the same, certain details have been adjusted for the intended readers - for example, when a blonde-haired visitor breaks Baby Bear's chair, he can still look forward to an afternoon in the workshop with Papa Bear, making a new one.

Lara Gurin's artwork appears to be based on photographs, creating a combination of fantasy and reality that perfectly balances the stories they illustrate.

The Postman Always Brings Mice by Holm & Hamel

You are a sophisticated cat of the world. In fact, you are James Edward Bristlefur, a cat of honor and breeding who has helped to bring down the most cunning criminals in the world, thwart thefts of precious jewels, and who curls up each night on a comfortable pillow with a large dish of cream.

At least, you used to be.

But that was before Sir Archibald, the Director of MI9, Britain's most secret counterspy agency, and your human ever since you were a young kitten, was foully poisoned before your very eyes.

Now, a mix-up in customs and baggage claims dumps you, not in Norway on the trail of the vile villain who did the deed, but in an animal shelter - in New Jersey! To be adopted by an American family and misnamed "Mr. Stink."

The indignity!

And yet, in the midst of your plans to resume your quest, you discover that not everything is as it seems. Not even in a quiet little American neighborhood...

Harvey Moon, Museum Boy by Pat Cummings

For fans of the original Harvey Moon story (Clean Your Room, Harvey Moon!), as well as those who enjoyed the recent Night in a Museum movies...

What do you get when you mix one mischevious kid, one frightened lizard, and a museum full of amazing things?

A story that you've got to read to believe, and a punchline that will have you groaning and laughing!

April Wild! Book Club

Well, the weather was so nice that no one came for the book club this month. Unless we get a whole flood of friends for the May 22 get-together, we might have to let this program go and find a different way to enjoy and share stories.

Who Were They Really? by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Do you enjoy Winnie-the-Pooh's stories? How about Peter Pan, Little Women, or the Little House on the Prairie books?

Have you ever wondered how Peter Rabbit got his name, or how Alice had so many adventures in Wonderland?

Ms. Pfeffer has collected the true stories behind these favorite characters, including pictures both of their authors and of their subjects. (Did you know that the real Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends are in New York City? They live at the Donnell Library.) You might be surprised at where some of the stories have come from, and the lives of the people who inspired them.

Otto Runs for President by Rosemary Wells

Barkadelphia School is holding its yearly election for school president, and Otto's class is really excited. All of Tiffany's friends are sure she'll win - she's pretty, smart, and popular. And Charles seems to be a definite contender - he's a star athlete and the captain of all the sports teams.

Otto, on the other hand, is just a really good listener. While Tiffany and Charles are putting up banners and bumper stickers, Otto asks the kindergarteners about blankets. In the middle of pep rallies and pancake breakfasts, Otto quietly passes out homemade cookies.

It looks like a real close race heading into election day - Otto and his best friend Melanie have their fingers and toes crossed. Who do you think will win?

---

Our book kit includes a CD with the story narrated by Diana Canova. She has a great range of voices, making each character stand out. And the pep band background music definitely completes the story! There's two versions on the CD - one with page turn signals and one without. Great for sharing as a family, or for a young reader to practice on his or her own!

March Wild! Book Club

Well, we were a little short on Wild! today - no one came to hang out and talk about books!

Our next get-together is Saturday, April 24 at 1 pm. Remember, everyone in grades 2-6 is welcome to spend some time relaxing and chatting about stories with other book-lovers!

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina

This is one of my very favorite picture books - not only is it fun to read and share, it's also a delight to act out!

One day, a peddler who sells caps - gray caps and brown caps and blue caps and red caps - goes out into the country to take a nap. He sits down under a big tree, falls asleep, and when he wakes up - all of his caps have disappeared!

Who could have took them? And how will he get them back?

---

If you enjoy this story, you'll like the sequel: Circus Caps for Sale. It's an equally fun romp, though I much prefer the original!

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

Get ready to laugh out loud as 14 talented artists take on the age-old question: Why did the chicken cross the road? Warning: egg-cellent jokes abound!

Two page spreads illustrate each artist's answer to the old joke, each one different from the next. (I won't tell you those answers; it would ruin the surprise!)

Some best-known artists include Mo Willems (Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus; Knuffle Bunny; the Elephant and Piggy books), Tedd Arnold (the Fly Guy! books), David Shannon (No, David!; How I Became a Pirate), Jerry Pinkney (The Little Red Hen; The Lion and the Mouse), Harry Bliss (Diary of a Spider; Diary of a Worm), Lynn Munsinger (What Mommies Do Best / What Daddies do Best), and Judy Schachner (Skippyjon Jones).

Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 by David Petersen

Imagine if mice had their own civilization. Towns of mice living in the trunks of trees; guardian mice protecting travelers from such enemies as snakes, wolves, and weasels; blacksmith mice and weaver mice. What would it be like?

Imagine a world of swords and spears, honor and treachery, heroes and villains. Imagine four mouse guards - Lieam, Kenzie, Saxon, and Sadie - who each find pieces of the puzzle. A forbidden map, a shadowy meeting, a mouse who claims to be a hero of legend. A war coming, mouse against mouse rather than against their natural predators.

This vibrantly-colored comic book story tells a tale of bravery and sacrifice, friendship and suspicion. It's probably better for older readers because of the subject matter.

The Master Spy Handbook by Rain Newcomb

You don't know me, and I can't tell you my name. Just call me Agent O - that's what my contacts at the Network call me.

I'm on a mission at the moment: the Network wants me to find out what criminal mastermind extraordinaire Felicia wants with a whole shipment of Spy Wars video games. Not too tricky for a trained spy like me, but if my teachers at the Spy Academy found out what I was doing, I'd be put in detention. If I'm lucky.

Fortunately, I've got a lot of experience doing this, and I don't like to brag but I'm pretty good. Felicia - and the Academy - won't suspect a thing until the Network arrests her!

Well, I suppose if you wanted to tag along I could show you a few tricks of the trade, give you a few tips, things like that. Okay, okay, sure - I'll tell you how to do everything I do on this mission, all right? Just remember - be careful, and don't let my notebook fall into the wrong hands, got it?

February Wild! Book Club

We had a special guest today - Miss Liz, who is going to school to become a children's librarian, came to the Book Club! She said she'll be here next month too.

We had a small group - Sasha, Miss Liz, and Miss Jennie. But that's okay - we had a lot of fun!

Sasha read Geronimo Stilton and the Gold Medal Mystery by Geronimo Stilton. She really liked the pages that showed the flags of all the countries that participated in the Olympics. Geronimo is her favorite character in the book so far - she hasn't quite finished, but she's really looking forward to it.

Miss Liz read Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis. She said Elijah was her favorite character - he's a young boy, the first one born in a little village formed by freed and runaway slaves. One of the men is trying to save money to bring his family up from the South, but someone else in the village steals it. So it's up to Elijah and a friend to find that person and bring the money home! The book is pretty exciting, and it's written by a Michigan author!

Miss Jennie brought two books: Bones and the Dinosaur Mystery by David Adler and The Master Spy Handbook by Rain Newcomb. Both of them are about detectives! Miss Jennie particularly liked the illustrations in the book about Bones, as well as Bones' friend Miss Sally. And the spy handbook was really useful - there were all sorts of tips on secret codes, disguises, and spy tools. Plus, there was a mystery to solve along the way.

Remember, everyone in grades 2-6 is welcome to join us for next month's meeting: March 27 at 1 pm. See you then!

Bones and the Dinosaur Mystery by David A. Adler

Detective Jeffrey Bones is very good at solving mysteries. He has a detective's backpack full of useful things like walkie-talkies, notepads, and magnifying glasses. He always keeps it with him in case a mystery pops up.

Which is a good thing, because mysteries can appear in the strangest places - like in the museum Bones and Grandpa are visiting. Grandpa's friend Sally is with them, and Sally and Bones buy some neat dinosaur things at the gift shop. Bones really likes his blue plastic T-Rex.

But an hour later, after snacks and walking through the outer space exhibit, the T-Rex is gone! Detective Bones is on the case, and this time it's personal.

New Youth Book Club: Wild!

Are you wild about books? Do you read books that are wild, crazy, or just plain fun? Come on in once a month and swap tales of your favorite books with others who enjoy reading.

You can read whatever you’d like: fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels, manga, audiobooks, or magazines.

Just come on in, bring your favorite book you've read in the past few weeks, and tell us all about it!

The Wild! Book Club meets once a month and welcomes book lovers in grades 2-6. Our next meeting dates are Saturdays February 27 and March 27, both at 1 pm.

For more details or if you're interested but not able to make it to the meetings, leave a comment with your contact info and I'll get back to you, or call the library at (586) 598-4900.

The Fledgling by Jane Langton

Have you ever wanted to fly?

Have you ever known that, if you could just find the right time or the right place or the right mindset, you could soar up over the trees, over your house, be and explore like a real true bird?

Georgie has. She's not only dreamed of being able to fly, she's done so. First on the back of the largest goose in the nearby flock - the Goose Prince - and then on her own, round and round in lazy circles above Walden Pond. Night after night, in the fresh crisp fall air, seeing the world like toys below her while the Goose Prince drifts right beside her, fingertip to wingtip.

It seems like a dream; cool calm nights of the most wondrous experiences with a noble and intelligent companion. But it's not a dream, Georgie knows. It's real, truly real and wonderful.

But not everyone can believe it. Her family worries about her, the neighbor lady - who is the only one who's ever seen Georgie fly - thinks she's either a saint or a moonchild. And creepy Mr. Preek is determined to protect Georgie from the 'giant wild attack bird' whether Georgie wants him to or not.

January Wild! Book Club

This was the very first meeting of our new book club for grades 2-6. We took the official vote to name the book club, and the winner was: Wild! Book Club. We're wild about books around here!

Sasha brought A Dog Named Christmas by Greg Kincaid. Sasha loves dogs and other wild animals, so this book was perfect for her.

Keean read The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman. He enjoyed the adventure after Jemmy and the prince ran away from the palace, and the fact that they learned to be friends.

Miss Jennie brought two books this month, a historical fiction and a fun adventure. The Robber and Me by Joseph Holub was originally written in German and was translated into English. It's a neat story about a boy who moves to a little German village, the friends he makes, and the robber who lives in the forest. Agent Boo by Alex de Campi and Edo Fuijkschot is a great book that's half comic book, half chapter book. The story moves in and out of the illustrations, bringing it to life!

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Melinda Sordino is a high school freshman with a terrible secret, no friends, and a newly acquired habit of remaining mute whenever possible. She is ostracized by her classmates for calling the police to break up a summer party. Gradually, readers will realize the events of that party are the catalyst that sent her spiraling out of control. Will she find her voice in time to save herself?

Anderson does an excellent job of writing realistic teen dialog and creating believable settings and scenarios for her characters to interact. Date rape, which is the trauma Melinda experiences, is thinly veiled and easily predicted; however, there is still interesting build-up to the final scene.

The conclusion of the book may be considered a bit too perfect for more mature readers but, overall, Speak navigates the inner mind of a traumatized teenager with impressive insight. Melinda's use of art to express herself, her parents' detached attitudes, and her utter sense of despair will have readers rooting for her.

The Robber and Me by Josef Holub; translated by Elizabeth D. Crawford

When Boniface woke up in a warm soft featherbed, he thought at first that he was in heaven. The last thing he knew, he'd been lost in the middle of the woods on a freezing-cold night. But if he was safe and warm now, with no memory of getting from the forest to this bed, did that mean that it had all been a dream? His father's death, the year with his aunt, the horrid cart-ride with the man who stank to high heaven? And what about the man Boniface thought he remembered - the one with the big black hat who picked him up and carried him out of the forest?

It hadn't been a dream - except maybe the man with the big black hat; no one is sure about that. But Boniface is indeed in the tiny village of Graab (in Germany, you understand), in the house of his uncle, the mayor, and life is about to be very interesting.

His uncle is strict, and the schoolmaster even more so. There's Christian Knapp, who is the son of the local robber and so is always in trouble, but he stands up for Boniface against a bully. And then there's Frederika, his uncle's maid, who is tall and stout and has a loud voice, but Boniface suspects she's actually a very kind person.

But when Boniface learns about several holdups in the area committed by a man in a big black hat, he has a difficult decision to make. Does he help the man who probably rescued him from the forest, and tell his uncle what he knows? Or does he keep quiet and not risk this new family he's found?