What elementary student hasn’t loved THE MOUSE AND THE MOTORCYCLE, or laughed out loud while reading Beverly Cleary’s books about RAMONA QUIMBY and HENRY HUGGINS? For many young readers, Cleary’s books are among a short list of the “best of the best” books. For that reason, it seems appropriate that, across the nation, Cleary’s April… Read more »
Book Room
In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb
IN LIKE A LION, OUT LIKE A LAMB by Marion DaneBauer, illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully, Holiday House, 2011. What a delightful, rhythmic book to read out loud with a child. Where you live, did March come roaring, tumbling in like an exuberant lion? How shall March tip-toe out? With sheepish rhymes filled with sunshine and… Read more »
Mama Miti by Donna Jo Napoli
“Plant a tree!” Celebrate spring. Share the activity of planting a tree and reading this book: MAMA MITI by Donna Jo Napoli, illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Mama Miti is the beloved name of Wangari Muta Maathai the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize – just one of Mama Miti’s many “firsts.” This… Read more »
Crimes, Mysteries, and Outlaws
EDGAR ALLAN’S OFFICIAL CRIME INVESTIGATION NOTEBOOK by Mary Amato Poetry and mystery come together in this short chapter book for middle grade readers about a fishnapping in Ms. Hershel’s 5th grade classroom. Edgar Allan is determined to solve the case with the help of his crime investigation notebook. There, he’ll record his theories and the… Read more »
Chronal Engine by Greg Leitich Smith
If ever there were a smartly-written, fascinating, action-packed, high-stakes mystery Chronal Engine is the one. Greg Leitich Smith’s fast-paced prose, paired with Blake Henry’s graphic novel-like illustrations, will wow even the most dire of reluctant readers. An intriguing time travel adventure, cleverly crafted characters which appeal to both genders, and dinosaurs! Reader, you can’t go wrong with Chronal… Read more »
Mrs. Harkness and the Panda
When her husband, William Harkness, set off for China in hopes of bringing the first live panda to the U.S, Ruth Harkness had no idea how this dangerous expedition would change her life. Working as a dress designer in New York, Mrs. Harkness hadn’t intended to join the treacherous journey to the mountains of China… Read more »
Here Come the Girl Scouts by Shana Corey
Here Come the Girl Scouts celebrates the vision of the one of the most influential feminists of all time, Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts. Author Shana Corey tells the 100 year-old-story of a young woman’s vision to establish an organization that developed a girl’s character through physical activity, a love of nature, and public… Read more »
