Chicken Soup with Rice: A Book of Months written by Maurice Sendak, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

 

Summary:  Anytime of the year is a good time to have chicken soup with rice.  A small child goes through the months of the year while reiterating it is always nice to have chicken soup with rice.  Each page has a month and each month has a rhyming story, but in every month it is good to have chicken soup with rice.  

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Obviously for all you foodie teachers out there, this would be a wonderful book to have around during the cold season along with a cup of chicken soup with rice.  It helps to teach the months of the year and you cannot overlook the rhyming poetry lesson that goes along with it.  Some months are congruent to the seasons and some concentrated on rhyming.  Originally written in 1962, this book may need a makeover like an old house needs an update.  Update the pictures and rewrite some of the months to relate to today’s students. Keep it congruent to the seasons.  The bones are good, but it is revealing its vintage pages.

Nobody Is Perfick written by Bernard Waber, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  Sometimes life can be annoying!  What do you do when a person says they want you to stop scaring them, but really loves to be scared?  Or when someone starts telling you a story, but is laughing so hard they cannot finish it?  These are some scenarios in this short story collection.
This collection of short stories proves that you can write about any of life’s inconsequential occurrences, instill a little laughter or shock, and you too can be an author. You can laugh or be indignant for the people in the stories. 

Straight Talk for Librarians:  The collection of life’s inconsequential stories is a great way to teach writing.  Everyone has a story inside them waiting to come to be written.  Nobody is perfick felt like I was reading a collection of 4th grade written books.  Some are cute and most say nothing of interest with little to no humor.  The illustrations saved the book from drowning in bad reviews.  The pencil drawings bring to life the characters and are more interesting than the written words. Teachers can use the book to teach early days of writing.  Recommended

 

Little Red and the Cat Who Loved Cake written by Barbara Lehman, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  Little Red and Big Red bake a cake for Grandma.  Wolfie, the cat, thinks he’ll be getting cake until it’s boxed up and put in a basket.  Sneaky Wolfie, follows Little Red all through town and through the park hiding behind things for the right opportunity to grab the cake.  Little Red greets several people, but the timing is off for Wolfie.  Wolfie gets into Grandma’s house, puts on her clothes, and gets in bed, but Wolfie does not know that Little Red and Grandma have a surprise for him.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This fractured fairytale of Little Red Riding Hood is told through pictures.  It is wordless, but not worthless.  The colorful pages tell a strong story and incorporate other fairytale figures along the way.  There is a find me section in the back pages of the book to find certain items or characters. Having the students look for items is a precursor toward learning to be observant and detail-gathering for later comprehensive reading.  Great for teaching fractured fairy tales or rewriting a story too.  Goes to show, you don’t need words to tell a story.  Highly recommended. 

 

Haggis and Tank Unleashed #2: Digging for Dinos written by Jessica Young and illustrated byJames Burks, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

 

Summary:  Haggis and Tank take off on an adventure to find Dinosaurs.  Tank read that they found dinosaurs right there near their backyard.  Haggis gets talked into searching for dinosaurs.  They pack food and set off on an adventure.  They find 3 dinosaur eggs all alone so they make a plan to sit on them to hatch, when along comes Mama triceratops and charges at them.  Tank shows her they mean no harm and helps cover them with leaves and grass.  She trusts them and makes them her friends.  They play games until a Tyrannosaurus Rex comes along to eat them, but as the ground starts to shake, he runs off.  Suddenly all the creatures, followed by all the dinosaurs, run away.  Tank and Haggis get worried and find a way to get home quickly.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This easy reader chapter book with colorful pages has entertaining comical conversations between Haggis and Tank.  Tank is a dreamer, who misunderstands a lot of what Haggis says.  He constantly confuses similar sounding words into something else, which makes for a highly funny and entertaining book about vocabulary. Haggis, who is the smart one, is talked into these adventures by Tank.  Students learn how to be friendly towards people, some who are aggressive towards them or misunderstanding the conversation.  We all can learn to handle a hard of hearing grandparent or older person in our life.  This book would make a great classroom library book on diversity and age differences.  Highly recommended. 

Carmen Sandiego: Clue by Clue written by Catherine Hapka, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

 

Summary:  Carmen Sandiego is on a quest in Tortuga to find pirate Captain Goldtooth’s treasure.  It has been hidden since the 1600s.  Carmen needs to find it before VILE gets to it.  A former pirate who traveled with Goldtooth, wrote a diary and coded where to find the treasure. In this diary is the code breaker.  This pirate stole the treasure from Goldtooth and hid it in Tortuga.  This time VILE sent four of their best agents to retrieve it.  Tigress, Mime Bomb, El Topo, and Le Chevre are all there as well as Inspector Devineaux.  Can Carmen outwit them all?

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Mysteries are sought after books by students and this one will be a big hit with its special symbol decoder built right in.  These books are a welcome addition to any classroom library.  There are extra codes to solve in the back pages that will keep students engaged past the reading of the book.  Upper elementary teachers could have a field day which includes decoding of a puzzles, like an escape room environment to reach the treasure.  It’s a great way to engage students minds.

Mr. Complain Takes the Train written by Wade Bradford and illustrated by Stephan Britt, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  Mr. Complain takes a vacation and on the train he notices things are not quite as he wants them to be.  He is a grumpy man and lots of things are wrong on the train.  His seat is too lumpy.  The passenger next to him is too prickly, although a porcupine can’t help it.  The train is moving too fast or too uphill.  He can never seem to find the train comfortable.  After the train and tracks do a loop de loop and a ride through a river, cleaning out the inside of the train, he finally makes it to his destination of Dullsville, but is that what he wants in a vacation?

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Mr. Complain makes a lot of work for the conductor and says mean things to those around him.  All the passengers and conductor remain in good spirits while trying to satisfy his complaints.  Vacations don’t always go as planned.  Students need to learn how to handle their emotions without hurting the others around them.  They can either learn to make a bad situation into a good situation or sulk.  This would make a great classroom discussion on how they would handle himself.  The interactive book is a lot of fun.  This large picture book is fun to read as the train moves up, down, and upside down as do the words on the page and most scenes take up both pages. Highly recommended.

Carmen Sandiego: Secrets of the Silver Lion written by Emma Otheguy, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  Vile stole the throne of  King Felipe IV of Spain in 1621 from a New York museum.  On it are 3 hallowed out inlays for 3 silver symbols, two of which were stolen back in King Felipe’s time. One of them was found and Vile has stolen it too.  Carmen and friends fly to Spain to steal them back.  She is up against her arch rival Paperstar from days together in Vile training.  They constantly competed against each other in school and the animosity towards each other has not changed.  They must find this throne and all its components and return it to the people of Bolivia.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Carmen’s feelings about being latin and stolen away in Argentina by Vile are surfacing in this caper. She’s longing to know who her parents were and to dig deeper into her family history.  Something several adopted teenagers have in common.  Students enjoy the mystery and the good vs evil in Carmen books.  As they run through Spain and Bolivia, they learn about the people and customs.  It would be a great addition to any social studies unit.  Detective-mystery books will always be desired in a school library and Carmen Sandiego books are like the old time Nancy Drew.   Highly Recommended. 

 

Louis written by Tom Lichtenheld and illustrated by Julie Rowan-Zoch, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  Louis is a teddy bear who thinks he is unloved.  He is left on the subway train.  He is splashed with milk and he has been bitten by dinosaurs.  Louis wants to leave and find another home that will love him.  Louis feels underappreciated so he makes plans to run away.  With his decision made, now he has to find the right time to leave. He can’t do it during the tea party with cake, nor during bedtime struggles, he ferrets out that maybe he likes it right here at home.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Things look different if you take the time to see it.  It’s not always bad.  This would make a great group read in a classroom or an individual building up reading skills.  A lesson plan could be about how to treat others and dealing with empathy.  Not everyone will find fun in everything you like to do. Colorful big pictures and large words will provide viewing from the back of any reading circle.

 

Horses: The Definitive Catalog of Horse and Pony Breeds edited by Scholastic, reviewed by Debra Gantz

 

Summary:  This is a stunning guide for kids to learn about the many horse breeds and their history. The book is separated into Light Horses, Ponies, Heavy Horses, and Care of Horses and there is so much to learn from every section. The Table of Contents and the Index do a great job of directing readers to exactly what they are wanting to find specifically, but I will bet many students interested in owning or already owning horses will ultimately read the book cover to cover! The glossary is wonderful, as well. Each breed has facts defining the breed, other names that connect to that breed, purpose of the breed, size of the breed, place of origin and ancestors. 

Straight Talk for Librarians:  My only frustration with this title is the format: Amazon calls it Flexibound. It is soft binding and due to the size of the book, I am not sure it will circulate well for me at my elementary library. Before you write this one off, though, browse a copy for yourself as it is very well done! 

Gossie and Friends: Ruby & Rufus Love the Water written by Olivier Dunrea, reviewed by Debra Gantz

 

Summary:  A friend story that shows their love for the pond throughout the year. Ruby and Rufus like to play on the pond and Olivier Dunrea uses one sentence per page paired with color illustrations of joyful play when the pond is ice and when it is water.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  If you have a space for tiny picture books, this one will be loved! (The book is quite small at about 9 x 9.) I bet that if you buy one of his Gossie & Friends books, you will want to buy them all!

Be a Friend written by Salina Yoon, reviewed by Debra Gantz

 

Summary:  Dennis is a quiet boy that wears black and white stripes and communicates through mime, like his hero Marcel Marceau of stage and screen fame. It can be lonely to not speak with words as other kids do not always understand. During show and tell, he mimed. When students climbed a tree, he became a tree. One day that all changed when Dennis kicked an imaginary ball and a classmate caught it. Together they played and discovered that play does not need words to fill our hearts with joy!

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Wow! What a special book this is and I have already added it to both of my school collections. Salina Yoon has found a way to help students treasure the differences in communication in our school communities. I have shared this book with all of my classes. I see the joy of students who are a part of both a small special services class and included into their grade level class for specials when I share this book in both library times. I see this book as a first purchase.

Everything Awesome about Space and other Galactic Facts! written by Mike Lowery, reviewed by Debra Gantz

 

Summary:  If your students like facts about space, jokes about space, and learning in a very visual way this book is for them. Each brightly colored page with a comic book feel offers all of the above items. Teachers will still have the non-fiction book parts of Table of Contents and Fact Boxes to showcase, but the delivery in this book is geared toward the readers in a delightfully appealing way that is like none other in my collection. Lowery also includes drawing guides as one of his chapters.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This series is so visually appealing that many of my students want to read them all. (I have not bought them all yet, but I will!) From reading this series I have added some graphic novels by Mike Lowery to my library collection. I have added Everything Awesome about Sharks already and plan to add Everything Awesome about Dinosaurs in both of my elementary schools.

From an Idea to Lego: The Building Bricks Behind the World's Largest Toy Company written by Lowey Bundy Sichol and illustrated by C.S. Jennings, reviewed by Debra Gantz

 

Summary:  This book will take students to Denmark to learn the history of a company we all know and love and connect us to the process of creating a business idea, working through the changes needed to grow that business, and the marketing and distribution issues associated with selling a product on a global scale. With a focus on business terminology explained in fact boxes and the main text, students will learn about the 3 generations of Ole Kirk Chistiansen's family that guided and grew a famous name brand.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  I have to teach my students about careers and this book offers a product background that allows me to showcase many different business careers! I like the simple chapters and the timeline and other back matter. I suspect this will be the favorite of the From and Idea to series by Lowey Bundy Sichol in my schools. Buy if your library needs STEM, Career, business connections, or non-fiction that may interest your budding entrepreneurs. 

Unstoppable: True Stories of Amazing Bionic Animals written by Nancy Furstinger, reviewed by Debra Gantz

 

Summary:  What an engaging book for children and adults, alike. Learning about the use of prosthesis for animals is quite appealing. It seems so often animals are "euthanized" for fixable medical issues, but these animals were lucky enough to find people who worked to increase their quality of lives despite obstacles. I love how so many rescuers, veterinarians, and human doctors worked together with college students to create mobility for limb damaged animals. I had heard about Winter, the dolphin, but this book introduced me to many more amazing and wonderful stories of focus, failure, and ultimately, successful adaptations to allow for full lives after injury or birth defect. Using all the non-fiction text features my teachers prefer for our students, my students can learn about any of the farm, zoo, wild, and pet animals in this book. The glossary addresses the scientific language, though within each section, the narrative text manages to weave definitions beautifully for readers, as well. Captioned full color photographs of the heroes who helped these animals and the animal subjects makes this as wonderful a book to browse as it is to read. I can only imagine that this book will appeal to animal lovers as much as students who learn about how appendages can be crafted in a myriad of ways to help any being adapt to physical challenges. I very much enjoyed the stories here and found myself exploring the website suggestions, as well.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  My teachers always want books that show Non-Fiction Text features well and this book fits that bill. Animals are an easy way to grab many students who are not yet non-fiction fans. This book meets both of those needs. My personal favorite is that stem connections are all the rage in the education world. I plan to use this book to get my students to think of ways to use creative thinking to solve real world problems, like the folks highlighted in these stories did for these animals! 

Cleopatra in Space #3: Secret of the Time Tablets written by Mike Maihack, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

 

Summary:  Young Cleopatra is on another adventure to find the time tables before Octavian. These tablets will determine Cleo’s fate.  While being attacked by Octavian’s ships, the group separates into different space pods and travels down to Hykosis.  There Cleo runs into Antony, her rival.  Antony and Cleo are consistently trying to find the same items.  Antony helps Cleo and Akiri exscape Octavian’s guards only to find Hykosis is littered with Octavian’s men.  After Octavian kills the leader of the orphanage. who hiding the tablets, he sets a trap for Cleo.  She is the only one who can bring the tablets to life.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This is the 3rd book in the series.  The story picks up where it left off, but has its own mission.  It was not difficult to follow along, having not read the first two books.  There are several diverse characters and friends helping friends. Sometimes the writing is very basic.  Multiple pages of Bam, Crash, Blatz, Zwack, Zap, Zip, and Z-ting.  This is for a student’s pleasure read.  One who finds space and time travel their niche.  I ordered books 1 and 2 to add to my collection.  Recommended

NewsPrints #2: EndGames written and illustrated by Ru Xu, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  In this sequel to NewsPrints, the fight for freedom and truth continues with Blue searching for her friend Crow.  Crow is a boy that was created to end the war.  He is a flying war machine.  Blue is half Grimmaean and half Goswish.  The new Goswish queen is not backing away from the war.  She is forging ahead and wants to have all the territories under her rule by beating Gremmaeans into submission.  Blue, raised in Goswish, gets kidnapped by the Gremmaeans and learns a lesson in working together for the common good.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  A lot is lost by not having read the first book.  The beginning is confusing because characters are introduced without background.  Xu could have written a prologue to introduce the characters from book 1 and make the transition better.  This would end a lot of confusion in certain scenes.
Goswish’s have black hair and brown eyes and Gremmaeans have blond hair and blue eyes, because Blue has traits of each, blond hair & brown-eyed, she is neither friend nor foe. She has to defend herself all the time.  She can pass through either country with a few changes like a wig or sunglasses.  Her lack of acceptance strikes a true cord common among today’s teens. I purchased the first book to add to my collection.  I believe I won't be able to keep it on the shelf.

Not recommended as a stand-alone read

This Is the Day! written by Amy Parker and illustrated by Leeza Hernandez , reviewed by Terry Wahrman

 

Summary:  Psalm 118:24 says This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.  Today,  we will wake up and rejoice.  God created this day - He made it for you.  Get up; get ready to go. Go see and do all the things God has created for you.  Sing songs and ride rides.  Even if you are feeling sad, you can make this the best day you’ve had.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This Christian book references Psalm 118:24.  This is the Day encourages small children to see the new day as one of wonder.  It brings the promise of a new joyous beginning and tells of all the happy things and sites to see in the new dawn. They talk about God and how he is present and gives us all these wonderful things.  This is a good fit for any school library catering to a Christian community.  This love and goodness book can be a welcome addition to an elementary library.  Recommended. 

Ghost Squad written by Claribel Ortega, reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary:  St. Augustine, Florida is a small town with a spooky history. Lucely Luna and her Dad, Simon, run a Ghost Tour that has not been doing well. Lucely realizes that if things don't improve, they could lose their house. She involves her best friend, Syd to help her fix things. They find a spell book at Syd's grandmother's (Babette is rumored to be a witch) house and recite a spell without understanding it's power. Now it is up to Syd, Lucely, Babette, and one of Babette's cats to save the town from spirits let loose by this spell. Will they accomplish this task before the stroke of midnight on Halloween?

Straight Talk for Librarians:  My students love and often request scary stories. I am usually not a fan. Thankfully, Claribel Ortega included many references to games, movies, and even plays to ground me and I loved this story. There is black magic feel to this story, but references to Goonies, Ghost Busters, and so much more will lighten that ominous feeling enough to find a story about realizing that family is not just those you are related to by blood and that memories of the love of relatives who have passed on give us amazing strengths for all of our lives. Add to your collection for your scary story loving students!

Next Best Junior Chef #1: Lights, Camera, Cook! written by Charise Mericle Harper and illustrated by Aurélie Blard-Quintard, reviewed by Debra Gantz

 

Summary:  I was drawn into the story immediately as the children are great characters. The chefs in the book are just as interesting and the book moved quickly with challenges and prizes being won throughout. I will be buying future books in this series, as there is only one eliminated in this first book, so I have no idea who will win the competition. For those who want a spiritied, unique style for a series, try this one out!

Straight Talk for Librarians:  I do not watch reality TV and had no idea there was a cooking competition show for students. This series was requested by my students. I liked the story line, the characters, and the competition including the sections of public speaking with each contestant. As a librarian I do offer opportunities for reading on projects, participating in academic competitions, and team activities like coding and I found connections in this story that I can use in my classes. I also love the notes about cooking safety and vocabulary included in this book. 

Next Best Junior Chef #3: The Winner Is . . . written by Charise Mericle Harper and illustrated by Aurélie Blard-Quintard, reviewed by Debra Gantz

 

Summary:  Budding chefs everywhere will want this final book of the series, for sure! The two girls who have become friends during the competition are a bit concerned about the competition affecting their friendship. They are aware that to win the competition one of them has to lose. They do not suspect a surprise twist to start this 3rd Episode, but it offers them a chance to bond more in the competition. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: 
This is a story about cooking, for sure, but it is also about friendships, family, handling yourself under pressure, and public speaking. My students who love cooking shows requested this series and I am happy to be adding this third one in the series for them now.

Toy Academy #1: Some Assembly Required written by Brian Lynchand illustrated by Edwardian Taylor, reviewed by Suzanne Schug

 

Summary:  The Toy Academy, where toys learn how to play!  The story starts with an introduction to our main character, Grumbolt, becoming alive after being discarded into a garbage can.  This homemade toy’s mission is to find a child of his own to play with. Through the help of Omnibus Squared, Grumbolt learns of Commander Hedgehog’s Institute for Novelty Academia (CHINA), or what the toy students refer to as the Toy Academy, where he can learn how to play.  He befriends Micro, a collectible bagged toy who inspires to pose on someone’s self being admired.  Grumbolt quickly discovers that due to the way he was made, it is very difficult for him to be successful in any of his classes and fails out of the program. When wrongdoings by the Evil Toy Academy threaten to harm Grumbolt’s school, he takes on the mission of stopping the crimes upon himself.  While untangling the mystery at the Evil Toy Academy with the help of his friends, Grumbolt proves how much he has learned from his classes and is permitted back into school.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Toy Academy was easy to read with a simple message to students of the importance of being yourself.  As Grumbolt tries to pass his classes and learns what he is, his friends support and encourage him.  The book ends with the sentences "I'm not sure what I am. I'm not sure what I'll be.  And that's ok" The reading level would make it inviting for 2nd and 3rd graders to pick up.  This would also be a good teacher read-aloud.  This book could be used in school to promote the social-emotional issue of loving who you are.

Smart Cookie written by Elly Swartz, reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary:  Frankie feels strongly that her Dad needs to meet someone to complete their family. Her Mom died years ago and it seems her Grandmother and her Dad are not getting along. They live in a B & B and it has not been busy, so she is worried about them losing their home. Her friend, Elliot, hears there is a ghost problem and being a shelf-proclaimed ghost hunter he is ready to solve the problem. As the two work to solve the ghost mystery, they discover everyone around Frankie seems to have a secret.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This is a heartwarming story of family, friends, and neighbors in a small town that is apt to bring readers joy, laughter, and possibly some tears from both feelings. The ghost in this story does not make it much of a ghost story as it never feels threatening in any way. I have a ridiculously strong urge to bake some cookies after reading this story! Thank you, Elly Swartz, for your sweet story and acceptance of what family might be for each of us.

 

From an Idea to Nike: How Marketing Made Nike a Global Success written by Lowey Bundy Sichol, reviewed by Debra Gantz

 

Summary:  A great inside view of the development of a brand and the pieces that pulled it together to being one of the biggest names in shoes. The facts, the vocabulary, the failures, and the huge wins are all here for the fact loving students in your schools!

Straight Talk for Librarians:  One of my jobs in the last few years was to introduce students to careers they may have in their future. This series of books has been helpful as it shows businesses they know from the beginning when they were just a dream by a single or pair of individuals. I love that this one pairs the dreamer with his college professor. Learning about the back story is an interesting way to learn business, marketing, sales, and entrepreneurship.

Tiny Monsters: The Strange Creatures That Live On Us, In Us, and Around Us written by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page, reviewed by Debra Gantz

 

Summary:  In Jenkins amazing style, each insect is shown enlarged with an actual size note and details about how dangerous they can be or what is unique about them. The illustrations are cut and torn paper collage with coloring for highlighting the insect descriptions. 

Straight Talk for Librarians:  I love microorganisms, but no so much insects. Yet, this book may have changed my mind. My first graders for years have researched insects and I cannot wait to share this book with them! I see it as a first purchase! I will be using the Tiny Monster facts at the end in a Kahoot, I believe. The introduction for this one will be so fun to create. This book will be perused by many students over years. It should be in every library that serves elementary students! 

Soof written by Sarah Weeks, reviewed by Debra Gantz

 

Summary:  Aurora has heard about Heidi all of her life. Heidi is coming to visit and it has Aurora very nervous, confused, and even angry. She has always had differences. She taps in threes. She colors in o's anywhere she sees them. She has sound sensitivity. Her best friend is her dog, Duck. Most of her teachers and classmates (and possibly even her mother) do not understand her. This year she has Mr. Taylor who is different. He seems to not only understand her differences, he embraces them. Aurora feels safe with him. She has a perfect attendance record at school this year and has no intention of that changing. Then her house is on fire. The tragedy is confounded by her mother's fear that Aurora had something to do with the fire. Will Aurora ever work through the feeling that Heidi's visit is causing all of this commotion in her life?

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This book will stand alone, but having So B. It, the first story with Heidi is a good idea. I am smitten with Sarah Weeks ability to craft a story that is so heartwarming even in tragic situations. Finding out the meaning of Soof is only part of the reason to read this book. Despite the lack of a diagnosis for Aurora, my autistic students will love the behaviors described in this book as they will see similarities with themselves and their classmates. I now have a book to share with my students that is about honesty, fear, tragedy, the love of dogs, and the love of family.

ParaNorthern and the Chaos Bunny A-hop-calypse written by Stephanie Cooke and illustrated by Mari Costa, reviewed by Todd Erickson

 

Summary:  Young witch Abby is on fall break and intends to help her mom out at the Witch's Brew Cafe, where a motley crew of creatures meet up to hang out in the supernatural village of North Haven. Her best friends are a pumpkin head, wolf girl, ghost and her little sister Ella, who is being bullied. Abby's magic powers are a somewhat out of whack, and she when she casts a spell to prevent further bullying of Ella, she unleashes a Bunny Apocalypses. It's up to Abby to dig deep into her witchy heritage and realign her witchy powers to send the bu nnies back through the portal from which they hopped. Abby's mom and friends are there to help her believe in herself and her powers. 

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This is a light hearted, funny book about a witchy girl and her misfit friends. They are all dealing with Middle Grade insecurities in some form or other. There's an underlining message of acceptance and low-key celebration of what makes everyone unique. Everyone is riddled with self doubt at some time or other, but friends and family are there for Abby to help her find her way. The bunnies serve as a manifestation of her own insecurities. The message is pretty straightforward, but subtle enough not to be preachy. It's implied that wolf girl may have a crush on Abby. 

Thank you, Mr. Panda written by Steve Antony, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

Summary:  Mr. Panda has bought a gift for each of his friends.  He and his friend Lemur deliver them.  In all cases the gift doesn’t fit.  Each of his friends thank him, but get a surprise as each gift has an issue.  Octopus’ sweater came with only 6 leg holes and Goat’s bow was too long.  Lemur reminds all of Mr. Panda’s friends, that it is the thought that counts.  Lemur is surprised by his own gift of underwear being way too big and is reminded by Mr. Panda, it’s the thought that counts.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  Steve Anthony reminds us, it is not the gift that matters, but the thought that counts.  In many different ways he presents different animals with gifts from Mr. Panda and each gift is not usable.   Mr. Panda's little sidekick Lemur reminds us all that it’s the thought that counts. This wonderful little book which has colorful boards will attract lots of readers. The same message is delivered on every page. The repetition gives us consistency in a lesson to be learned- It’s the thought that counts- and hopefully young readers will begin to see the pattern and learn from it. This book is good for a read along or for an individual reader. Recommended.   

Sherlock Holmes and the Disappearing Diamond written by Sam Hearn, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

 

Summary:  Young middle schooler, John Watson, starts his first day of school at Baker street academy in London.  He meets many new friends including Sherlock and Martha, reunites with past friend Bart, and also meets his  nemesis James.  They take a field trip to the British Arts & Antiquities museum where they go on a treasure hunt.  During their time there, an attempted robbery took place with a flash mob providing the distraction.  Later it was discovered that there was a true crime, and a diamond was replaced with a fake.  Time for these detectives to get down to figuring out who took the real diamond.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This modern day Sherlock and Watson story is about how they get their start as detectives. Unfortunately, I found it difficult to follow.  The writing is interspersed with newspaper clippings, live tv shows, bulletin board notices and blogs on every other page.  My thoughts were interrupted many times and it was hard to focus on the story.  A lot of the information was repetitive in the excerpts. I liked the layout of the book, ⅓ story, ⅓ graphic novel, ⅓ newsprint.  It all came together in the end.  I wished the interruptions happened at a natural break in the story.  Students will be attracted to the cover and interior layout. Recommended

El Dador/The Giver (Spanish Edition) written by Lois Lowery, reviewed by Terry Wahrman

 

Summary:  A young boy named Jonas discovers his life and the lives of his family and friends are influenced by a governing body. Their life’s path is not by chance but controlled in their utopian world.

Straight Talk for Librarians:  The Giver is still read in our school district and the spanish translation is a welcome addition to our ESL program.  Highly recommended.