Just Books :: Reviews - Kids

The Possibilities of Sainthood

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:52:26 -0500

The Possibilities of Sainthood by Donna Freitas (Teen)
Antonia Lucia Labella has two secrets: at fifteen, she's still waiting for her first kiss, and she wants to be a saint. An official one. Seem strange? Well, to Antonia, saints are royalty, and she wants her chance at being a princess. All her life she's kept company with these kings and queens of small favors, knowing exactly whom to pray to on every occasion. Unfortunately, the two events Antonia's prayed for seem equally unlikely to happen. It's not for lack of trying. Every month for the last eight years, Antonia has sent a petition to the Vatican proposing a new patron saint and bravely offering herself for the post. But as Antonia learns, in matters of the heart and sainthood, things are about as straightforward as wound-up linguini, and sometimes you need to recognize the signs.

"Donna Freitas has created a warmhearted story filled with humor, reflections and life. Antonia is amazing: very goal-orientated, determined, guided by her heart, a character who almost becomes a real friend. Freitas has a writing style that invites a reader to step into the story, to become part of it, and really feel the emotions and actions of her characters . . . . a charming a witty book." - Teenreads.com

The Great Wide Sea

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:49:43 -0500

The Great Wide Sea by M.H. Herlong (Ages 11 +)
What happens to a family when a parent dies? How to cope with crushing grief? In "The Great Wide Sea," a bereaved father decides to leave his old life behind -- to sell the house, put everything in storage, and set out on a voyage with his three sons, who go along, albeit unwillingly and unhappily, their old lives left behind. The story is told through the eyes of the eldest son, Ben, who wanted anything but a long voyage. His 16th birthday approaching, he wanted a car, wanted his old familiar life back, and he seethes with fury at his situation. Seeing that his father is swamped by his own loss, Ben tries to keep up the spirits of his younger brothers, Dylan and Gerry. When the three boys wake up to discover themselves alone on the boat named Chrysalis, they will be tested beyond belief, tossed into a terrible storm, then cast ashore on a deserted island and into a struggle for survival.
Part survival story, part recovery narrative, "The Great Wide Sea" is unforgettably beautiful, filled with the power of family stories as they are lived and created and passed on. Herlong has learned her craft well enough to know that children must be the heroes of their own lives, and Ben, Dylan and Gerry, so brave and struggling, will stay in readers' hearts forever. (The Times Picayune)

Every Soul a Star

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:47:24 -0500

Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass (Ages 10 +)
Ally, short for Alpha, and her younger brother know a lot about constellations. After all, they live at Moon Shadow Campground, in the middle of nowhere, with lots of big sky, telescopes, and infinite stars. Meanwhile, Ally’s counterpart Bree knows fashion and has the latest scoop on all the celebrities. She prefers high-heel sandals and pink tank tops. But all that’s changing. Bree, her younger brother, and their scientist parents are about to pack their possessions into the family’s beat-up van and move to Moon Shadow, just in time for a solar eclipse. The pull of the three distinct voices and their layered stories make this novel perfect for young teens not quite ready for edgier fiction.
“Every Soul a Star” is a humorous and touching novel of friendship. Carefully documented in the author’s end note, there’s plenty here for budding astronomers. This is the kind of book that kids should still be reading in August 2017, the next time a solar eclipse will be on view in the US.

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:45:41 -0500

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart
(Ages 9-12)
The fabulous foursome readers embraced as The Mysterious Benedict Society is back with a new mission, significantly closer to home. After reuniting for a celebratory scavenger hunt, Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance are forced to go on an unexpected search--a search to find Mr. Benedict.

"...this is not just a rip-roaring adventure with plenty of clever twists and hair's-breadth escapes, but also a warm and satisfying tale about friendship." - School Library Journal

"Trust, friendship, human nature, pride, and courage underlie the story and add depth... This classic struggle of good versus evil also includes the many layers in between." - VOYA

Rules

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:43:26 -0500

Rules by Cynthia Lord (ages 9 – 13)
"No toys in the fish tank" is one of many rules that 12-year-old Catherine shares with her autistic younger brother, David, to help him understand his world. Lots of the rules are practical ("it's okay to hug Mom but not the clerk at the video store.") Others are more subtle and shed light on issues in Catherine's own life. Torn between love for her brother and impatience with the responsibilities and embarrassment he brings, she strives to be on her parents' radar and to establish an identity of her own. The details of autistic behavior are handled well, as are depictions of relationships. Catherine is an endearing narrator who tells her story with both humor and heartbreak. Her love for her brother is as real as are her frustrations with him.
Lord has candidly captured the delicate dynamics in a family that revolves around a child's disability. Set in coastal Maine, this sensitive story is about being different, feeling different, and finding acceptance. A lovely, warm read, and a great discussion starter (Reed Business Information and American Library Association)

Guinness World Records 2009

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:40:44 -0500

Guinness World Book of Records 2009 (Ages 9-12)
A great gift book, especially for boys, the Guinness World Records 2009 builds on the intriguing, informative, inspiring and instructional records and superlatives that have made Guinness World Records an annual best-seller. This year's edition has a revolutionary new design and is filled with more records than ever before with over 20 pages of special records all with 3-D photos (which can be viewed with enclosed 3-D glasses!)

Take Me Back

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:37:22 -0500

Take Me Back by DK Publishing (Ages 8 +)
A trip through history from the stone age to the digital in a vibrant and exciting format. A great book for ardent historians, young and old, Take Me Back is a chronological exploration of the people and events that have shaped societies through time. From Mesopotamia to Mao, the Incas to Iraq, the Spartans to the Space Shuttle, this history book covers it all.

Discover the history of the world through the unlikeliest of channels: newscasts from 1492, the blog of Louis XVI's closest confidant, and more bold, zany, and irreverent sources. Learning history has never been so innovative or exciting. Find out where you fit in to the story of the world!

Brava Strega Nona A Heartwarming Pop-Up Book

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:34:42 -0500

Brava Strega Nona A Heartwarming Pop-Up Book by Tomie dePaola (All ages)
Tomie dePaola’s Strega Nona has been loved by generations of children’s book readers, but they’ve never seen her like this! In six spreads of pop-up magnificence, paper engineered by the renowned #1 New York Times bestselling team of Sabuda and Reinhart, Strega Nona shares her words of wisdom for leading a magical life, all rendered in Tomie dePaola’s classic style. With doors to open, tabs to pull, and a host of other interactive features, readers will be drawn into Strega Nona’s world in a way they’ve never been before. Brava, Strega Nona! is a glorious celebration of important values that will introduce a whole new generation of readers to this lovable character. (Reed Business Information)

Wabi Sabi

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:32:11 -0500

Wabi Sabi by Mark Reibstein (All ages)
Wabi Sabi, a little cat in Kyoto, Japan, had never thought much about her name until friends visiting from another land asked her owner what it meant. At last, the master says, "That's hard to explain." And that is all she says. This unsatisfying answer sets Wabi Sabi on a journey to uncover the meaning of her name, and on the way discovers what wabi sabi is: a Japanese philosophy of seeing beauty in simplicity, the ordinary, and imperfection. Using spare text and haiku, Mark Reibstein weaves an extraordinary story about finding real beauty in unexpected places. Caldecott Medal-winning artist Ed Young complements the lyrical text with breathtaking collages. Together, they illustrate the unique world view that is wabi sabi. Wabi Sabi is a unique picture book that clearly explains a new way of seeing the world to readers.

Tea for Ruby

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:28:15 -0500

Tea for Ruby by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York (Ages 3-8)
That Ruby! Wherever she goes, table cloths accidentally pull dishes to the floor, flowers get trampled and spaghetti somehow end up in her hair. You can't take Ruby anywhere! One sunny morning, the postman brings Ruby an amazing invitation to have tea with -- the Queen! Ruby had better polish her manners and quickly. Will Ruby really be ready in time?
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, and Robin Preiss Glasser (illustrator of the Fancy Nancy series) know a thing or two about the importance of manners and poise and being ladylike. In Tea For Ruby, they have created the irrepressible Ruby, whose antics and foibles with touch readers' hearts as she tries her very best to do things correctly. In the end, she knows she is loved for who she is, and that she will always be a princess, royal or not!

Fancy Nancy Let's Get Fancy Together

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:25:19 -0500

Fancy Nancy Let's Get Fancy Together by Jane O'Connor (Ages 4-8)
The latest offering from the ever-wonderful "Fancy Nancy" series, this adorable fuchsia carry-all is full of tres fabulous accessories - butterfly barrettes, a butterfly fan, glittery sunglasses, and more. It's a must-have, all-in-one emergency kit for girls on the go, because you never know when you'll need to get fancy! Throughout the book, the ultimate expert on all things fancy (that's Nancy, of course!) reveals her secret tips for instant glamourification - from hair to dolls to party invitations. There will be loud choruses of merci beaucoup when little girls receive this wonderful gift.

Gallop

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:22:30 -0500

Gallop by Rufus Butler Seder (All ages)

A first book of motion for kids, it shows a horse in full gallop and a turtle swimming up the page. A dog runs, a cat springs, an eagle soars, and a butterfly flutters. Created by Rufus Butler Seder, an inventor, artist, and filmmaker fascinated by antique optical toys, Scanimation harkens back to the old magical days of the kinetoscope, and the effect is astonishing, like a Muybridge photo series springing into action—or, in terms kids can relate to, like a video without a screen. Complementing the art is a delightful rhyming text full of simple questions and fun, nonsense replies: Can you gallop like a horse? giddyup-a-loo! Can you strut like a rooster? cock-a-doodle-doo!

Every child who opens the book will be amazed - and so will every parent.

"The pictures of animals, birds and fish seem to move with extraordinary naturalism‚ [The animals] are mesmerizing for all ages, especially for aspiring artists who will want to know how it's done."
-New York Times Book Review (New York Times Book Review )