Book Room

The Treasure Troop: Mr. Summerling’s Secret Code

Penguin Workshop | 9780593094839   Marly loves a good mystery. She’s listening to THE WESTING GAME and just as she’s about to find out the truth about Sam Westing, the doorbell rings. A man, who does not identify himself, delivers an envelope addressed to: MARLENA MARIE DEAVER. “What’s this about?” her mom calls to the… Read more »

something good

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | 978-0759557420   Something bad has happened at school. Someone has written hateful words on the girl’s bathroom wall and all the girls from Mr. Gilbert’s class are called into principal Martínez’s office. When asked if they have any information, some of the girls say no. Others look down… Read more »

OVER and UNDER the CANYON

Chronicle Books | 978145269392   If you’re familiar with Kate Messner‘s OVER and UNDER series, you may have already seen the newest, OVER AND UNDER THE CANYON. Living, as I do, in Arizona, this was a book I wanted to read. Inspired by the Anzo-Borrego Desert State Park, south of Palm Springs and west of… Read more »

Farm Lullaby

Chronicle Books | 978-1452181035   Neigh-a-bye lullaby Slowly swaying rock-a-bye Nuzzle nose, breathing deep Plodding, nodding off to sleep   With these gentle words, FARM LULLABY opens and, already, I can feel my breath slowing, the rhythms of the nighttime farm settling in. Young readers will be calmed, too, drawn into Karen Jameson’s beautiful text with… Read more »

Circle Under Berry

Chronicle Books | 978-1797205083 I learned about Carter Higgin’s new book CIRCLE UNDER BERRY a few months ago and knew right away it would be one of the books I would use for a virtual workshop I was preparing for. It’s a book about shapes, position words and where things are relative to other things,… Read more »

Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jiménez, Daughter of the Nahua

Abrams Books for Young Readers | 978-1419740206 A few weeks ago, I had the good fortune to attend Gloria Amescua‘s book launch for her beautiful debut, Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jiménez, Daughter of the Nahua. At the time, I had no idea that I already “knew” Luz Jiménez. I was about to learn more… Born in… Read more »

I Can Help by Reem Faruqi, illustrated by Mikela Prevost

978-0802855046 | Eerdman’s Books for Young Readers   There are 18 kids in Zahra’s class. Kyle is one of them. He is great at many things. Drawing and drumming, sharing cookies at lunch, and telling jokes. He is kind and full of smiles. One thing Kyle is not so good at is reading and handwriting,… Read more »