Franklin and Winston: A Christmas That Changed the World

by Douglas Wood
With the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor this year, this engaging junior illustrated book tells the story of the first Christmas after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, a naval base located in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 7, 1941. Although Americans were trying hard to catch the holiday spirit, it proved a difficult task due to the tremendous amount of sadness they were feeling because of the number of lives lost when the Japanese launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Only a few days later, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and English Prime Minister Winston Churchill decide to meet with one another over the Christmas holiday, in order to make a strategic plan that would lead to the success of the Allied powers in defeating Hitler and the rest of the Axis powers. It was hoped that a swift defeat would also lead to a continuing peace after the war ended. Interestingly, this would also be the first time Roosevelt and Churchill actually meet one other, despite exchanging numerous letters and telegrams over the years. Their friendship and genuine affection for each other, despite differences in their daily routine, is revealed in Douglas Wood's text. Moser's illustrations are also perfect at capturing the colorful personalities of both men, as Churchill adjusts to being Roosevelt's one week houseguest at the White House. For those looking for an out of the ordinary true story, as well as another way to explain the mood of the home front during World War II that will appeal to history buffs both young and old, Franklin and Winston: A Christmas That Changed the World, will fit the bill. To learn more about these two men and the times they lived in, a bibliography is also included. 

Recommended for grades 2 and up
Reviewed by Rozanne Porter 

The Knight's Tale series

The Adventures of Sir Lancelot the Great
The Adventures of Sir Givret the Short
The Adventures of Sir Gawain the True
by Gerald Morris
Oh, to be a knight in the days of King Arthur's Court! You could be as great as Sir Lancelot  - with armor so shiny you could see your reflection! You could be as wise as Sir Givret, even if you're short! You could be undefeated like Sir Gawain and always keep your word! Of course, when you're the greatest knight in the realm, like Lancelot, or undefeated, like Sir Gawain, other knights are always challenging you everywhere you go, which can be a tad inconvenient. If you're wise like Sir Givret, you might find yourself always helping less wise friends out of trouble, which can be a tricky thing. And what if always keeping your word means you must fight a friend to defend the honor of your king? Being a knight can be great, but it's not always easy! No matter if being a knight is good or bad, with Gerald Morris telling the tales, you can bet they will be funny. Try this series perfect for those just discovering chapter books for the first time and see if you can keep the laughter in! 

Recommended for grades 2-4
Reviewed by Jennifer Baker 

The Flint Heart

by Katherine Paterson
Once upon a time, a long time ago, a magical heart was carved out of flint.  But this flint heart was not magical in a good way; it was magical in a bad way, making its wearer cruel and greedy and unfeeling.  When this story begins the flint heart has been forgotten about, hidden for thousands of years in an ancient grave.  It is found quite by accident by a kindly farmer, named Billy Jago, who turns instantly into an unkind and abusive bully upon picking up the heart.  Lucky for Billy, two of his children, Charles and Unity, are determined to find out why their father has changed and what they can do to change him back.  To do this, they decide to visit the Pixies.  With the help of the Pixies, and other magical beings, Charles and Unity are able to free their father from the power of the flint heart.  The story doesn't end here, though, because soon another creature has found the flint heart and turned into an ill-tempered beast.  It is up to Charles, Unity, and the magical creatures they meet to get rid of the flint heart, once and for all.  This charming fantasy is a rewritten version of a book written one hundred years ago by the author Eden Phillpott.  A lovely and fun read complete with illustrations.

Recommended for grades 3-5
Reviewed by Tara Olson 

Bake Sale

by Sara Varon
Have you met this author/illustrator yet?   There is just one word that I think of to describe her books - fun!  Her previous works include Robot Dreams and Chicken and Cat.  Bake Sale is her latest graphic novel.  The illustrations are so simple, but when it comes to anthropomorphizing food, no one does it better.  Cupcake is, of course, a baker.  He dreams of flying to Turkey and meeting his ideal, Turkish Delight, the greatest pastry chef in the world.  Cupcake's good friend Eggplant has a plan that involves Cupcake quitting the band and selling as many baked goods as possible, but not before they stop at the local coffee shop for something to eat.  There is just something about seeing a cupcake eat a grilled cheese and fries that makes you want to smile.  This is a cozy friendship story with pictures and recipes. 

Recommended for grades 4-8
Reviewed by Koren Power 

Waiting for the Magic

by Patricia MacLachlan
From the author of the Newbery Award winning Sarah, Plain, and Tall comes a heartwarming family story laced with a touch of fantasy. Ten-year-old William and his four-year-old sister, Elinor, are sad. Their father has left their home to pursue a writing career, and no one knows if and when he will return. As a way to fill the void of their father's absence, Will's mother decides to go to the local animal shelter to adopt a dog. There are four dogs at the shelter, each with their own personality, and the family decides to take all four of them home. They have even adopted Lula the cat. Happily, Bry, Bitty, Neo, Grace, and Lula not only get along well with each other; but they also take good care of their new human family. In addition to trailing them all over the house and being their sleeping companions, the animals seem to have the uncanny ability to know what Mama, William, and Elinor are thinking and feeling, and they quickly respond to their needs. Then one day Elinor casually states that Grace the greyhound told her she wants Granny to knit a blue doggie coat for her. The rest of the family chalks this up to the four-year-old's imagination. But soon Will hears the thoughts of Neo, and he realizes that all of the pets know how to speak; he just had to be brave enough to listen to them. And their advice is quite good for happier family relationships. Soon Mama has more big news to share. Will this bit of good news finally bring Papa home for good? For those who love animals and happy endings, this short novel is perfect for newly independent readers, as well as a good family read-aloud at bedtime. 

Recommended for grades 3 and up
Reviewed by Rozanne Porter 

One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street

by Joanne Rocklin
The orange tree in the middle of the block on Orange Street seemed to be the maker of the family of families there.  Like a block parent, it brought people of various ages and backgrounds together.

Under it was the coolest spot on the street, and that's where the Girls With Long Hair Club conducted its meetings.  Young members of the block even consulted with Ms. Snoops, the oldest living resident of the block, to find facts about the property the orange tree was on.

This tree bearing delicious citrus fruit was where Ruff the dog liked to dig, and where Mitzi the cat stalked.

Who was this mysterious bald man with a beard, watching the tree from his green car?

Read this slice-of-life novel to release the secrets the orange tree has all of its own!

Recommended for grades 4-8
Recommended by Joe Drinka 

 

Along a Long Road

by Frank Viva
In the many, many picture books that I see, it is not very often that I pick one up that I instantly think deserves an award.  Somebody give this one an award!  Frank Viva has created this wonderful picture book journey.  Children love to follow the endless road with the happy cyclist from the front cover, through every page of the book, around and across the back cover and continuing continuously along again.  It is a jaunt without a destination, but what a lovely trip.  Early readers will not mind practicing their emerging skills on this one.  The text is simple, but the concept is inspiring.  This is refreshing treat.

Recommended for grades PreK-2
Reviewed by Koren Power 

Troublemaker

by Andrew Clements
Sixth-grader Clay Hensley is a school troublemaker - and he loves it! Although his teachers realize he is only full of mischief and does not mean to hurt anyone, his pranks have become so numerous at Truman Elementary School that his school record is as thick as a phonebook. Many of his infractions, such as running in the halls, disappearing from class, or tossing french fries in the cafeteria are fairly harmless stuff. But one day he decides to do something riskier, by getting "creative" in art class when his teacher instructs the class to draw whatever they want. Clay, being a skillful artist, creates a remarkable likeness to his principal, Mr. Kellings - only he draws him as a DONKEY. Clay loves basking in the laughter of his classmates, and will willingly take whatever punishment Mr. Kellings gives him. He cannot wait to share his latest escapade with his older brother Mitchell, who just arrived home after spending a month in jail. To his surprise, Mitchell does not laugh when he recounts the prank. In fact, Clay is shocked to find Mitchell angry and hostile toward him, while threatening to hurt him physically if he does not change his troublemaking behavior immediately. Clay has always looked up to Mitchell and loves to imitate his rabble rousing ways, but now his older brother makes it clear that jail is no picnic, and that he never wants to spend another day there again. He is afraid that Clay has it in him to follow in his footsteps... all the way to being locked up himself one day. Mitchell is determined to give his brother a personality makeover before it's too late. Clay resentfully begins to change his appearance and behavior. But his classmates and his best friend, Hank, are not sure they like the "new" Clay any longer. They now treat him like an outsider. Then comes Halloween night and the real trouble begins. Mr. Kellling's home is seriously vandalized, and the police show up at Clay's house. He is the prime suspect. But he's innocent. Or his he? Clements is a master at portraying school drama through the eyes of the student. The reader will be pulling for Clay as he tries to extricate himself out of this sticky situation, while hopefully developing a personality that can make him smile again. 

Recommended for grades 5-8
Reviewed by Rozanne Porter 

Wonder Struck

by Brain Selznick
Gunflint Lake, Minnesota - June 1977.  After the death of his mother, Ben Wilson has moved into the lakeside cabin near his home with his aunt, uncle, and cousins.  He misses his mother terribly, and wishes he knew who his father was.  One stormy night he sneaks back to his house to look through his mother's things and finds a clue about the identity of his father.  Injured by lightning, Ben is taken to a hospital, but determined to find his father in New York City, he sneaks out of the hospital and takes a bus by himself all the way to New York City.

Hoboken, New Jersey - October 1927.  As the only deaf person in her family, Rose feels trapped in her home.  She refuses to take sign language and lip reading classes, and instead turns the pages of her books into models of the buildings she can see across the river in New York City.  She keeps a scrapbook of pictures and articles about a famous and mysterious actress, and longs to meet her.  When a headline catches her attention, she sneaks out of the house and makes her way by herself across the river to New York City.

Despite 50 years difference in time, Ben and Rose share a journey to find a better life, and the way their lives are connected will surprise you.  Ben's story is told in words and Rose's story is told completely in pictures, but the way they are intertwined only serves to make each of the stories better and stronger.  This book is a staggering 640 pages, but like The Invention of Hugo Cabret, this is a quick and thoroughly enjoyable read.

Recommended for grades 4-12
Reviewed by Sara Murray

Hurricane Dancers

by Margarita Engle
Quebrado, "the broken one," was taken as a child from his home when he was very young because he can speak Spanish like his father and the language of the Taino Indians like his mother - a valuable skill on the islands and waters of the Caribbean Sea in the 1500s.  Traded from ship to ship like a slave, Quebrado ends up on the ship of Bernardino de Talavera, a ruthless pirate who is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people.  Also on the ship is Alonso de Ojeda, Talavera's prisoner, who is a brutal conquistador.  When a hurricane sinks the ship and most of the people aboard, Quebrado escapes to safety on the island of (what is now) Cuba and befriends the native people.  When Talavera and Ojedo also show up on the island, Quebrado, able to speak to his former captors and his new people, has a chance for payback as he must help decide the fate of the cruel men.

Written in verse and told from the points of view of Quebrado, Talavera, Ojedo, and two of the native people, this historical fiction story based on true characters is suspenseful, imaginative, and moving.

Recommended for grades 4-8
Reviewed by Sara Murray