Two Bobbies

by Kirby Larson
How do you explain tragedy to children? When there are catastrophes that invade the world of our young loved ones, we are often at a loss to balance our needs to shelter and to explain. This book does an excellent job of telling a heart warming tale of heroism in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. A tailless mutt acts as a seeing-eye dog for a blind, tailless cat as they struggle to survive post-hurricane and find a new life. Based on a true story with photos and a description of their happy ending, this title offers many opportunities for discussion and provides a warm fuzzy story to share. The illustrations show in subtle colors the ravaged homes with water damaged toys and furniture in the streets and bolder images of the animals in front. This is a true find for parents and teachers needing something for one-on-one or group discussions.

Recommended for ages 5-10
Reviewed by Koren Power

Elijah of Buxton

by Christopher Paul Curtis
It's 1860 and Elijah is the first free-born child in the settlement of Buxton, Canada and as such you would think he'd get a little respect! Instead everyone tells him how fragile he is and boy do they love to tell the story of how he threw up on Mr. Frederick Douglass even though Elijah was just a baby when it happened. Elijah enjoys his life - he has a best friend, Cooter, to get in trouble with, he gets to go rock fishing on his favorite mule, Old Flapjack, and he gets to work with Mr. Leroy helping to clear a neighbor's land. Now that he's almost 12, Elijah thinks it's about time people realize he's pretty much grown up even if some things are still pretty confusing. For one thing, his Ma tells him he "has to respect what growned folks say" one minute and the next she's telling him "not to believe some of the things growned folks tell" you. How's a boy to know which things are which? As the year goes on and Elijah learns more about the world outside of Buxton - especially about slavery, he starts to see that being grown up is much more complicated than he thought.

Recommended for grades 4-8
Reviewed by Jennifer Baker

A Crooked Kind of Perfect

by Linda Urban
Ten-year-old Zoe Elias has big dreams. She wants to be the next piano prodigy, the next Vladimir Horowitz. Unfortunately the instrument she is stuck with is not the shiny baby grand she has dreamed of. It is the Perfectone D-60; a wheezing wood-paneled organ better suited to performing television theme songs than classical compositions. Zoe tries to embrace the organ her father has given her but it is just one of the problems that have popped up in her life. Her best friend has ditched her for someone new, a strange classmate keeps following her home after school, her workaholic mother is never home and her reclusive father is obsessed with baking. But despite these problems, Zoe decides to give the organ one more chance and before long she is competing at the Perform-a-Rama... and having a great time. This is an easy and fun read with a great lesson about holding onto your dreams and accepting the imperfections that make life so interesting.

Recommended for grades 3 and up
Reviewed by Tara Olson

Climbing the Stairs

by Padma Venkatraman
This book serves as a reminder that even in the midst of horrifyingly violent times that engulf the world there is still a place for life - a small corner for peace. It is World War II in British occupied India. As Hitler moves across Europe and the Japanese edge towards Madras, Gandhi reminds India that killing is wrong. Vidya, a fifteen year old girl, and her father, a doctor, find themselves in the middle of a non-violent protest march. It is the first time the war has come close to Vidya. It is also the event that changes her life forever. This is an historical novel, a romance, a coming of age story, a book about loss and healing and finding your own way to live.

Recommended for grades 6 and up
Reviewed by Koren Power