Title: The
101 Dalmatians
Author: Dodie Smith
Reviewer: Mariah
Book Rating: 
Reviewer Comments: The book far surpasses any movie version, and
I'm a Disney fan. Perfect chapter book for dog lovers fifth grade and
on up. Pongo and Missis search for their fifteen kidnapped pups, and find
a few extra.
Title: And
Tango Makes Three
Author: Justin
Richardson and Peter Parnell
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Copyright: 2005
Reviewer: J
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: A true story teaching children that diversity
exist in animals as well as people. The penguins in the story are still
at the zoo listed in the book.
Title: Beautiful
Joe
Author: Marshall Saunders
Reviewer: Mariah
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: I would guess the reading level of this chapter
book to be about sixth grade, but still very enjoyable for adults to read.
This is the "Black Beauty" of dog novels. Told from the point
of view of the dog, Beautiful Joe has his ears and tail cut off as a puppy
by a cruel owner, and fortunately is rescued to live in a clergyman's
home. The theme of the novel is the importance of kindness to all animals.
Title: Becoming
Naomi Leon
Author: Pam Munoz Ryan
Publisher: Scholastic
Copyright: 2004
Reviewer: Carol
Book Rating: 
Reviewer Comments: This juvenile fiction novel has a warm multi-cultural
story and would be appropriate for kids 8 to 10.
Title: The Black Stallion
Author: Walter Farley
Publisher: Random House, Inc.
Copyright: 1941
Reviewer: Mariah
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: The beginning of an excellent series featuring a boy and the wild horse who loves him. Shipwrecked together, the pair later become famous at the racetrack for the Black's incredible speed and spirit. A perfect read for boys or girls who love horses.
Title: Champion
Dog: Prince Tom
Author: Jean Fritz and
Tom Clute
Reviewer: Mariah
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: In this chapter book (about fourth grade reading
level), we meet Prince Tom, a golden cocker spaniel who excelled at obedience,
tricks, and hunting competitions. A novelization of the true story of
Tom Clute's champion dog. Very enjoyable read for young dog lovers.
Title:
Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors
Author: Jenny Nimmo
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc
Copyright: May 2005
Reviewer: Leigh
Book Rating: 
Reviewer Comments: For anyone still
looking for a Harry Potter substitute, the Charlie Bone series
is a good one. Charlie is a gifted boy who can jump into photographs.
He has other friends at Bloor's Academy, where he attends classes and
manages to get into plenty of trouble. In this story, Charlie is convinced
that a horse containing the spirit of an evil ancestor and brought about
by the wicked Bloors and Charlie's great aunts is out to get him. He also
learns who his true friends are all the while unraveling the story behind
the children of the Red King and trying to discover if, in fact, his father
is still alive.
Title: Charlie Bone and the Hidden King
Author: Jenny Nimmo
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc
Copyright: May 2006
Reviewer: Leigh
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is the
best in the series so far. What
better way to begin the book than to wake up and find that all of the
animals have disappeared. Pets, birds, squirrels and anything else has
vanished. What does the animals leaving have to do with the children of
the Red King? Could something or someone have frightened the animals away?
Title: The
City of Ember
Author: Jeanne Duprau
Publisher: Random House
Copyright: May 2003
Reviewer: Leigh
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: For fans of The Giver, this book follows in
a similar fashion. The city of Ember is run completely on electricity
with no need for the sun. At night the town is plugged into complete darkness
once the lights are turned off. The problem is the townspeople sense that
the electricity is starting to fade. Common occurrences of blackouts worry
them and one girl, Lina begins to wonder if there is something beyond
the city in which she lives. She enlists the help of her friend Doon to
search out the truth.
Title: Define
"Normal"
Author: Julie Anne Peters
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Copyright: 2003
Reviewer: J
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Voted as one of the best books by ALA for Young
Adults, this fiction novel has a great message. Don't judge a book by
it's cover. The two main characters are as opposite as possible. And they
are pushed to come to terms of what "normal" means. The book
is great for any teenager trying to be themselves no matter who judges
you.
Title: Double Identity
Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Copyright: 2005
Reviewer: Mariah
Book Rating: 
Reviewer Comments: An entirely too predictable “thriller” about a 12 year old girl, Bethany, who searches for the truth about her identity after her parents inexplicably leave her at a stranger’s house and then send thousands of dollars along with four different birth certificates for her with four different names. 2 ½. Perhaps an okay one-time read for the younger set, but rather slow-paced and hardly mysterious. A lot more could have been done with this topic, but perhaps that would have made it too adult for its preteen audience. Overall a disappointing and rather pointless story.
Title: Egyptology
Author: Emily Sands
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Copyright: October 2004
Reviewer: Beth
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This book is beautifully illustrated with plenty
of special features including maps, a hieroglyph booklet, and a scrap
of textured "mummy cloth." Great for children as well as anyone
who has an interest in Ancient Egypt.
Title:
Eldest
Author:
Christopher Paolini
Publisher: Random House
Copyright: August 2005
Reviewer: Leigh
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This was a great companion to Eragon, just as
well written and full of adventure.
Title: The
English Roses
Author: Madonna
Reviewer: Mariah
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Juvenile picture book. In this story I find
that Madonna has nothing meaningful to impart to children. What a surprise!
Your time and money are better spent elsewhere.
Title: Eragon (Review #1)
Author:
Christopher Paolini
Publisher: Random House
Copyright: 2003
Reviewer: Leigh
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is a fascinating tale of when a dragon
finds a boy and leads them on adventures that takes them in the presence
of kings, elves, and dwarves. This is the best book that has come out
since the Harry Potter books have been around. I would recommend this
to anyone who loves Harry and/or the Lord of the Rings.
Title: Eragon (Review #2)
Author:
Christopher Paolini
Publisher: Random House
Copyright: 2003
Reviewer: Marilyn
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: If you like fantasy, this is a great book! It's
a battle between a boy and the Empire, with a powerful King. This book
is exciting and intriguing, a book I would definitely have on my shelf.
Title: Flap Your Wings
Author: P.D. Eastman
Publisher: Beginner Books a division of Random House, Inc. Scholastic Book club edtion
Copyright: 1969, 1977, 2000
Reviewer: J
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Another Dr Suess "I can read it all by myself beginner book," offers lessons and entertainment. A misplaced lost egg finds a home with family of birds to be raised. No matter what the baby may or may not be the mom and dad bird raise the baby as their own. And one day the baby must learn to fly! It's a quick book, good for a bedtime story even for a 25 year old.
Title: Follow
My Leader
Author: James B. Garfield
Reviewer: Mariah
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: In this chapter book (about fourth grade reading
level), Jimmy is eleven years old when he loses his sight in an accident.
He learns to read Braille, walk with a cane, and goes to a special school
to get his guide dog, a German Shepherd named Leader, and learn how to
work with him properly. In addition to coping with his new way of life,
Jimmy must learn to cope with his feelings towards the boy who threw the
firecracker in his face.
Title: The Forgotten Door
Author: Alexander Key
Publisher: Scholastic
Copyright: 1965
Reviewer: Mariah
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Jon fell through a gateway from his world to ours. This telepathic boy with a love for animals suffers from amnesia and is unable to recall much about his world other than that it is a peaceful place. He finds a good family to help him, but faces enemies in the community who aren't inclined to tolerance for anyone different. An excellent and gentle science fiction story on a fifth grade reading level.
Title: Freedom
Crossing
Author: Margaret Goff Clark
Publisher: Scholastic
Copyright: February 1991
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This juvenile historical novel is full of secret
passages and hiding places during an escape through the Underground Railroad.
Great for children ages 9-12.
Title:
Frindle
Author:
Andrew Clements
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Copyright: September 1996
Reviewer: Leigh
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is a must read for 4th or 5th graders.
This is an encouraging story of a boy with a most difficult language-arts
teacher and his idea to rename the word "pen" to "frindle".
The wood catches on with the students and eventually travels throughout
the entire country. An elementary school librarian recommended this book
to me and I'm so glad she did.
Title: From
the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Author: E. L. Konigsburg
Publisher: Atheneum
Copyright: 1967
Reviewer: J
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Every child fantasizes about having an adventure.
The siblings in this book live it for you as they run away from home and
live in a museum. As usual, the novel beats out the movie any day.
Title: The Giving Tree "35th Anniversary"
Author: Shel Silverstein
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
Copyright: 1964, 1992
Reviewer: J
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: An ultimate classic for any age. Shel Silverstein has never written a bad book. The Giving Tree's 35th Anniversary book is a great gift for anyone. It comes in a special cloth slipcase. The story is an oldie but a goodie. It's about a boy and a tree. Through the years the boy changes and has very different needs. And the tree is always there willing to offer the boy anything for a little time with the boy.
Title: The
Grim Grotto: A Series of Unfortunate Events
Author: Lemony Snicket
Publisher: Harper Collins
Copyright: September 2004
Reviewer: Leigh
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: As the Series of Unfortunate Events series continues
to unfold, we find the Baudelaire orphans in their search to uncover the
mystery behind their parents death. Snicket is still as witty as ever
and cleverly weaves in underlying mysteries throughout the series.
Title: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Review #1)
Author: J.K. Rowling
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Copyright: July 2007
Reviewer: Leigh
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: The last of the Harry Potter novels has arrived and has certainly been worth the wait. In this novel all of the questions are answered...is Dumbledore really dead? Is Snape good or bad? Does anyone die? This book had me reading nonstop until it was finished although at times the story was so intense that I did have to set the book down to take a breath. Absolutely wonderful! All we need now is to find another series to fill in now that Potter's story has been completed.
Title: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Review #2)
Author: J. K. Rowling
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Copyright: 2007
Reviewer: Gayle
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: NO SPOILERS HERE!!! What can you say?!! The seventh and final installment of the incredible children’s series that altered the face of pop culture in our society is finally here and it doesn’t disappoint! Harry is no child in this story and this installment is a much darker, sophisticated story than found in any of the other books. I know everyone couldn’t wait to find out what happens to America’s favorite wizard, but for me, the real excitement was finally being able to read the last chapter which Rowling had written and locked up in a vault at least five years ago. She said seven books and stuck to it without compromising the character by cashing in on her fame and dragging the series out beyond her original intention for Harry Potter.
Title: Harry
Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Review #1)
Author: J.K. Rowling
Reviewer: Marilyn
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Sixth in the series
of extraordinary novels about a young boy at Hogwarts wizard school. Harry
is now 16 and has matured accordingly. Filled with the expected seemingly
impossible challenges, Harry and his mates of course prevail. As enjoyable
as all of the previous novels--a don't miss, for sure.
Title: Harry
Potter and the Half Blood Prince (Review #2)
Author: J.K. Rowling
Publisher: Scholastic
Copyright: July 2005
Reviewer: Beth
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: As the sixth of the Harry Potter series,
this is easily the most suspenseful and exciting thus far. Great for older
children and adults, but not as appropriate for younger children.
Title: Here Lies the Librarian
Author: Richard Peck
Publisher: Penguin
Copyright: 2006
Reviewer: Carol
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Set in rural Indiana in 1914, this offbeat novel features 14 year old Peewee (Eleanor), her big brother Jake and their dreams of auto mechanic glory. Motoring down the road comes Irene, a young librarian, whose plans astonish and alter their lives forever. This book, for ages 9-12, is folksy, funny and unexpectedly moving.
Title: Hoot (Review #1)
Author: Carl Hiaasen
Reviewer: Nancy
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Hiaasen's first foray into children's books
is a hit! The humor and quirky characters in his adult mysteries, although
obviously less irreverent here, are still completely enjoyable even for
adults. And, of course, since it is Hiaasen, there's an ecological plot
which involves and empowers the kids. Read it with your kids or read it
for yourself, but read it!
Title: Hoot (Review #2)
Author: Carl Hiaasen
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Copyright: September 2002
Reviewer: Leigh
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This is actually a book I had on my recommendation shelf at the bookstore, but with summer here and the movie having come out I think this is a great book to read. This is a story about standing up for something you believe in which in this case in some small part involves leaving alligators in port-o-johns and other pranks. For any readers of "Holes" who have not read "Hoot" yet, be sure to pick this one up this summer.
Title: I
Know a Rhino
Author: Charles Fuge
Publisher: Sterling
Copyright: 2002
Reviewer: J
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: A new book to add to the classic's list. These
are the cutest illustrations I've seen in a long time. It's a great board
book for toddlers, but also a favorite for adults.
Title: It's Not Easy Being a Bunny
Author: Marilyn Sadler Illustrated by Roger Bollen
Publisher: Beginner Books a Division of Random House, Inc.
Copyright: 1983
Reviewer: J
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: I recently started a collection of Dr Suess's "I can read it all by myself, Beginner Books". I wanted to have some classic for when I start a family of my own soon. So far I haven't been disappointed. "It's not easy being a bunny" is about P.J. Funnybunny not being happy with who he is. Page after page he tries on different identities only to find out he likes it best when he is being himself. This Beginner book offers a lesson as well as entertainment.
Title: Kira-Kira
Author: Cynthia Kadohata
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Copyright: 2004
Reviewer: Marilyn
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Teen-Fiction. This is one of my favorites. It's
the story of a Japanese family. It is the life and adventures of two very
close sisters. One sister becomes terribly ill, and it's up to the other
sister to help her family as her parents work on a minimum wage.
Title: A Light in the Attic: 20th Anniversary Edition w/CD ____
Author: Shel Silverstein
Publisher: HarperCollins
Copyright: 2001
Reviewer: Gayle
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: Every child or child-like adult should own a Shel Silverstein collection. Although this is not my personal favorite, listening to the poet read his own work is priceless! Usually found on the shelves of the ages 4-8 crowd, I bet their parents sneak a peak at night when they are fast asleep, and adults will love listening to the book as much as the kids. He has a collection of work from his days as an illustrator at Playboy magazine that is just as delightful but definitely not for the kiddies. Take a look-or a listen-to one of Silverstein’s classics this holiday.
Title: Little Wizard Stories of Oz
Author: L. Frank Baum
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
Copyright: 1913
Reviewer: Mariah
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This book in the Wizard of Oz series was written for a younger reading level than all the rest. I didn't read this one as a child (the only one I missed), but from an adult perspective this book is not that great. The best of the stories were only okay. Compared to the rest of the Oz books, this one lacks magic. It is probably due to being written for younger readers and because it is a collection of six short stories, which are rarely as good as a full-length novel. This book isn't worth reading; the other books are much better.
Title: Long Way From Chicago
Author: Richard Peck
Publisher: Puffin
Copyright: 1998
Reviewer: Nancy
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: It's 1929 when Joey and his sister Mary Alice begin their annual August visits with their grandmother...a train trip away in miles from their home in Chicago, but even farther in experiences. Peck chronicles their visits in a series of short stories covering nine years and captures the feel of small town life during the depression, although I'm not sure how interesting the details will be to a young reader. Nicely told,but be prepared to discuss topics like prohibition, Al Capone and Hupmobiles with your kids.
Title: O'Reilly
Factor for Kids
Author: Bill O'Reilly
Reviewer: Marilyn
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: For ages 12 and up. Frank but gentle discussions
about life for kids. Parents also should read it first to be able to discuss
with their children.
Title: The
Penultimate Peril (A Series of Unfortunate Events)
Author: Lemony Snicket
Publisher: HarperCollins
Copyright: October 2005
Reviewer: Leigh
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: For readers of the Series of Unfortunate Events (series),
this one is just as good as the last ones and continues to make me wonder
just what will happen at the end of the series. You'll never guess who
the Baudelaire children end up with in the end.
Title: The Princess and the Goblin
Author: George MacDonald
Publisher: Random House, Inc.
Copyright: 1911
Reviewer: Mariah
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: A gentle fantasy by a Christian author featuring a brave princess, her great grandmother, a miner boy, and some ill-intentioned goblins (are there any other kind?). One of my absolute favorite reads. The sequel, also excellent, is "The Princess and Curdie."
Title: SERIES
- Dark Is Rising
Classification: Children's
Author: Susan Cooper
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Reviewer: Mariah
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This fantasy series begins when Simon, Jane
& Barney Drew discover an ancient map in the attic of their vacation
home. Soon they are on the search for the Grail. The five books that make
up the sequence see the children battle between the Dark and the Light
in a world full of Arthurian and Celtic mystical settings. Very popular
and well-known series, but didn’t do anything for me. Of course,
I’m not a big fan of this type of setting. Ages 12 and up.
Title: SERIES
- The Deptford Mice Trilogy
Author: Robin Jarvis
Publisher: Various
Copyright: Various
Reviewer: Mariah
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: A great read for kids who liked The Secret of
Nimh or the Redwall series (the talking animals). This series features
mice vs. rats. Ages 9 and up.
Title: SERIES
- Harry Potter
Classification: Children/Teen
Author: J. K. Rowling
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Reviewer: Gayle
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: What can you say about these incredible books!
The quality of storytelling in children’s literature greatly improved
once Rowling started writing. Keep in mind, as Harry Potter ages throughout
the series; the stories become increasingly darker and more intense. Book
1 may be appropriate for a younger reader, but the later books may be
too scary for young readers. Ages 9 and up.
Title: SERIES
- The Land of Oz
Classification: Children's
Author: L. Frank Baum
Reviewer: Mariah
Copyright: 1900
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: There are fifteen books that visit the Land
of Oz in L. Frank Baum’s 1900 modern fairy tales of the adventures
of Dorothy, Toto, the Tin Woodsman, the Scarecrow and others. This classic
children’s fantasy series has a timeless message for all children
about friendship, compassion, courage and wisdom. All fifteen stories
can be found in one volume called, 15 Books In 1: L. Frank Baum’s
Original “Oz” Series (2005) Shoes & Ships & Sealing
Wax, Ltd. Publishers. My personal favorite is Ozma of Oz. Ages 8 and up.
Title: A Series of Unfortunate Events: The End
Author: Lemony Snicket
Publisher: HarperCollins
Copyright: October 2006
Reviewer: Leigh
Book Rating:
Reviewer
Comments: The title says it all. This is the 13th and final book in the Series of Unfortunate Events series. Snicket warns to not expect a happy ending, just as the books started didn't start out with a happy beginning. The orphans find themselves washed up on an island where everything ends up being washed ashore at some time. Little did the Baudelaire's know that they would discover more secrets and questions from their past on this deserted island. I expected more closure to the end of the series, but as unfortunate as things have been, I guess I'm not surprised at how The End came to its end.
Title: The
Sign of the Beaver
Author: Elizabeth George Spears
Publisher: Random House Childrens Books
Copyright: July 1984
Reviewer: Beth
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This juvenile historical novel about an unlikely
friendship between a Native American and white boy is wonderful for children
primarily in grades 5-8.
Title: A
Time for Freedom
Author: Lynne Cheney
Reviewer: Marilyn
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: For ages 9 and up. A timeline of American history
for kids. Well done but seemed to have omitted some things I would have
included.
Title: What
Makes A Rainbow
Author: Betty Schwartz
Publisher: Piggy Toes Press
Copyright: 2000
Reviewer: Carol
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: I love to give this book as a baby shower or
toddler gift. In addition to teacher colors, the unique use of ribbons
make it different from the ordinary board book.
Title: Where's
the Dragon
Author: Jason Hook
Publisher: Sterling Press
Copyright: 2003
Reviewer: Carol
Book Rating:
Reviewer Comments: This hard cover picture book, with wonderful
illustrations and a story to challenge a youngster's power of observation,
would be appropriate for children ages 3 to 6.