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Two of a Kind
By Jacqui Robbins
Illustrated by Matt Phelan
Atheneum (Simon & Schuster)
ISBN: 9781416924371
$16.99
Grades K-2
In Stores

*Recommended*

It happens every year. Good books come and go without getting their due. But if there is a reassuring thought, it is this: honest books are always needed. And honest is exactly what Two of a Kind is. From the perspective of, and speaking directly to kids experiencing an all-too-common friendship problem, Jacqui Robbins (The New Girl) sets an impressively authentic tone. Don’t let this one fly under your radar.

Kayla and Melanie are best friends. They also look down on everyone else. When Anna becomes accepted into their group, Anna’s friend Julisa is left behind. The more Anna gets to know her new friends, the less happy she becomes. Is it too late for Anna to save her friendship with Julisa?

The softly-hued watercolor illustrations look wonderful. Matt Phelan’s (The Storm in the Barn) attention to detail brings to vivid life all the subtle expressions and body language that make this story stand out.

It’s easy for a book like this to come across as an adult author telling kids what to do. Not here. Two of a Kind sets itself apart as a truthful take on a situation that kids will relate to. Be sure to add it to your collection.

Review copy provided by the publisher.

This book is nominated for a 2009 Cybils Award.

Also reviewed by TheHappyNappyBookseller.

Read and interview of author Jacqui Robbins by Little Willow.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

Dinosaur Woods
By George McClements
Beach Lane Books (Simon & Schuster)
ISBN: 9781416986263
$16.99
Grades K-2
In Stores

*Recommended*

You know what kids like? Thinking big. The bigger the idea, the better. Bob Shea & Lane Smith’s 2008 (and appropriately titled) Big Plans is a great example of this concept successfully making its way into children’s lit. Add Dinosaur Woods into this category as well. A group of animals try to save their little patch of forest the only way they know how – by coming up with a wild, grand, prehistoric idea.

As is so often the setup, developers are moving in. In four days the Plas-Tic Tree Company will be clearing forest to build a new factory. Seven residents of said forest are, understandably, troubled. Rojo the fox comes up with a plan to create a huge, fearsome, lifelike Tyrannosaurus Rex puppet to scare everyone off. The friends work hard on the project and it pays off – the developers are thoroughly spooked. But when the pseudo-dino breaks and the jig is up, will our heroes need to find a new home?

The illustrations, rendered in mixed media collage, are nothing short of astounding. McClements works wonders here with paper and paint, crafting expressive characters full of life.

Solid story, amazing visuals, and a “think big” theme that kids will enjoy. A nice package.

Review copy provided by the publisher.

This book is nominated for a 2009 Cybils award.

Also reviewed by Raising Readers and Writers, Kids Book Blog.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

Under the Snow
By Melissa Stewart
Illustrated by Constance R. Bergum
Peachtree Publishers
ISBN: 9781561454938
$16.95
Grades 1-4
In Stores

*Recommended*

It’s a question that crosses everyone’s mind at some point – where do animals go in the winter? Sure, we know that mammals like bears and squirrels hibernate and some birds fly south, but what about everyone else? Butterflies? Fish? Snakes? Under the Snow answers these questions for young readers.

The story is simple, yet informative at every turn. The narrator begins by describing the coming of winter, and the changes the season brings. The focus quickly turns to the animal world.

You spend your days sledding and skating and having snowball fights. But under the snow lies a hidden world.

Using cutaways and zoom-ins, the watercolor illustrations show a variety of animals in their winter homes. Ladybugs cluster in a gap in the stone wall. A bumblebee queen hides inside a rotted log. A turtle buries itself in the mud at the bottom of a pond. Each turn of the page shows a new animal adapting to the winter months.

Not a shelf-appeal stunner, but sporting a usefulness that can’t be denied. Under the Snow should be a part of your nonfiction collection.

Review copy borrowed from school library.

Check out the Nonfiction Monday roundup at The BookNosher.

Also reviewed by Kiss the Book, Kiwi Magazine.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

Otto Grows Down
By Michael Sussman
Illustrated by Scott Magoon
Sterling Children’s Books
ISBN: 9781402747038
$14.95
Grades K-2
In Stores

*Recommended*

A Review in Reverse

Engaging and entertaining, Otto Grows Down is hard to deny.

The artwork doesn’t take itself too seriously, and is a worthy match for a story that does the same. Similar to the recent The Very Hungry Dinosaur, Scott Magoon’s (Rabbit & Squirrel: A Tale of War & Peas) illustrations exude a deceptively simple, childlike quality.

Plot-driven and genuinely funny (there is a bathroom scene that had me absolutely disgusted, yet laughing out loud just the same), youngsters will be drawn in from page one. This title’s usefulness in a read-aloud setting is clear.

Will Otto be able to set things straight before he ceases to exist? But it doesn’t work. His birthday wish is for things to go back to normal. When his 5^th birthday arrives, Otto has had enough. But time keeps going backward. Immediately, time and events start moving in reverse – un-blowing out the candles, walking backwards – and it isn’t long before Anna is out of the picture. Amazingly, he gets his way. Upstaged at his own b-day bash, Otto blows out his candles wishing that little sis were never born. One week before Otto’s 6^th birthday, his little sister Anna steals his thunder by being born. The story begins with an easily relatable set-up.

A solidly above average release that is sure to be a read-aloud success. Funny, clever, and sporting a subtle moral that doesn’t thwack young readers on the head. Otto Grows Down takes this theme, adds a bit of time-in-reverse craziness, and comes out a winner. Excitement, anticipation, and the ever-so-familiar resentment are a few of the mixed feelings that spring from such an event. Plenty of kids have a hard time adjusting to a new sibling.

Review copy provided by the publisher.

Also reviewed by Literate Lives, Books Upon a Wee One’s Shelf.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

0 Comments on Book Review: Otto Grows Down by Michael Sussman as of 1/1/1900

Imogene’s Last Stand
By Candace Fleming
Illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
Schwartz & Wade Books (Random House)
ISBN: 9780375836077
$16.99
Grades K-3
In Stores

*Recommended*

Four score and seven zzzzzzzzzzzzz.

As much as this amateur Abe Lincoln impersonator hates to say it, history often has the unfortunate reputation of being boring. Unfairly pigeonholed, I say! While there are plenty of picture books featuring historical settings, there aren’t many that deal with the importance of preserving the past. Allow Imogene’s Last Stand to help fill the void. Credit is due to Candace Fleming (The Lincolns) and illustrator Nancy Carpenter (17 Things I’m Not Allowed to do Anymore), who have created a story about the importance of history that is a delight to read.

Ever since she was very young, Imogene Tripp has been a historical enthusiast. When she sees an opportunity to revive the long ignored Liddleville Historical Society, Imogene seizes it with enthusiasm. After putting her all into cleaning and organizing the old house, she discovers that it is to be torn down, by order of the mayor, to make way for a shoelace factory. Imogene tries to save the Society, but her attempts fail until she makes a discovery that changes minds and just might put Liddleville on the historical map.

Sharp and resourceful, Imogene is the quintessential spunky protagonist. She infuses history into everything she does, often quoting the words of famous Americans. Extra credit points are earned as an explanation of each quote is provided on the book’s endpapers.

It’s difficult to deny the “after-school special” vibe going on. When a feisty youngster fights back against an unsavory developer, the comparison is an easy one to make. However, through humor and appealing characters, the story doesn’t give an ounce of tiresome familiarity.

Carpenter uses pen, ink and digital media to create images that wonderfully match the text. Liberal use of two-page spreads make this book well suited for read-aloud settings. The soft, inviting tones and a drawing style that blurs the line between detailed and doodled will subtly engage young readers.

In the words of 100 Scope Notes,

“An entertaining and undeniably charming read, Imogene’s Last Stand has my endorsement!”

Review copy borrowed.

Also reviewed by Bri Meets Books.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

The Storm in the Barn
By Matt Phelan
Candlewick Press
ISBN: 9780763636180
$24.99
Grades 5-7
In Stores

*Recommended*

Also reviewed by A Fuse #8 Production, Becky’s Book Reviews, educating alice.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

Comics created using Bitstrips.

How to Get Rich on the Oregon Trail
By Tod Olson
Illustrated by Scott Allred & Gregory Proch
National Geographic
ISBN: 9781426304125
$18.95
Grades 5-7
In Stores
Review copy provided by publisher

*Recommended*

The rise of the journal format has been swift and, by my estimation, successful. Taking a story and telling it in the form of a hand-written account makes sense for two reasons:

1. It takes said story into the first person, adding an immediacy that draws readers in.

2. Journals provide an opportunity to add richness to the text through illustrations, photographs, and other bits of non-text miscellanea.

The reasons above also explain why the journal format is a perfect fit for nonfiction. Following the wagon-wheel ruts of 2008’s How to Get Rich in the California Gold Rush, How to Get Rich on the Oregon Trail takes an historical event and gives it the journal treatment. If you’re nonfiction section is in need of an Oregon Trail update (and, really, is there one that isn’t?), this is a title you will want to seek out.

While the facts are accurate, the characters are fictional. In April of 1852 the young William Reed sets out with his family for the land and opportunity of the West. William, an aspiring writer, arranges to send his accounts of the trip back home to be published in the newspaper. Plans are set, finances are in order, supplies are acquired. The journey begins and the hardships the Reed family has heard about become reality. Scarce food and water, disease, and treacherous terrain combine to make the going tough. It isn’t long before their financial situation is looking grim. When their oxen are stolen, William and his older brother create the “Reed Brothers Ferry” and quickly learn that there is money to be made on the trail if you’ve got the will to seek it out. Four months after beginning, William and his family arrive in Portland, eager to settle in and begin life anew.

As laid out in the table of contents, each two-page spread is dedicated to a stop on the journey. These chunks prove quite manageable and will work well for young readers.

The way I see it, you can go two ways with this format  – you can keep things ultra authentic, or you can make it modern. Oregon Trail goes the latter route. Presented as a current-day publication of an original journal, the overall look does not smack of 1852. While original photographs and maps are in the mix, the illustrations and layout provide an updated feel.

Engaging in format and boasting enough detail to give a sense of the journey that so many families made, How to Get Rich on the Oregon Trail should satisfy young history buffs and student fact finders alike.

Check out the Nonfiction Monday roundup at the outstanding Bookends blog.

Also reviewed by Kidliterate, Great Kids Reads.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

Constance and the Great Escape (Constance #2)
By Pierre Le Gall
Illustrated by Éric Héliot
Sterling
ISBN: 9781402766497
$9.95
Grades 1-3
In Stores
Review copy provided by publisher

*Recommended*

It’s fairly rare in children’s literature to run across an unlikeable character with absolutely no redeeming qualities. Sure Junie B. Jones breaks some rules, Max is difficult, and Pigeon can be self-centered, but all of those characters provoke sympathy from the reader.

Not Constance.

Rude and manipulative, her over-the-top behavior will come as a bit of a shock to those used to warmer, friendlier characters. In Constance and the Great Escape, Le Gall presents a personality that is completely disagreeable, yet difficult to stop reading about. An easy reader series worth checking out.

After pushing her parents, teacher, and principal to the breaking point with her wild behavior, Constance is sent to the ironically named Jolly Boarding School, in hopes that the strict rules and regulations will change her ways. Alone and missing her huge, unruly cat Tiny, Constance hatches a plan – if she’s there to correct her behavior, what if it doesn’t need fixing? Constance “shapes up” in a hurry, fooling her boarding school headmasters and earning a ticket home to continue her misbehaving ways.

The story is told from the perspective of Constance, and she is the quintessential unreliable narrator. On every page, the text tells her side of things, while the pen and ink illustrations tell the truth. When she says her teachers are bad, the artwork shows Constance shooting a fire extinguisher into the principal’s office. When she states that her parents don’t want her to be happy, the page shows Constance demolishing the house.

Don’t underestimate the intelligence of young readers. While there will likely be some folks who say this sort of book is setting a bad example, I disagree. Her bad behavior and attitude of denial is where the fun lies. Kids know that Constance isn’t a role model, but will enjoy her mischievous exploits.

You don’t often see these two sentences next to each other, but here goes:

A character with no appeal. A book many young readers will enjoy.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

Show Off
By Sarah Hines Stephens and Bethany Mann
Candlewick Press
ISBN: 9780763645991
$18.99
Grades 4-7
In Stores Sept. 22, 2009
Review copy provided by publisher

*Recommended*

A Step-by-Step Review

Step 1 – Get your hands on this book.

You might check it out from a library, you might find it in a book store, maybe you see it at a friend’s house – no matter the avenue, you should take a look.

Step 2 – Find out what’s inside.

Open it up, check out the table of contents. Highly visual step-by-step guides to more activities than you can shake a stick at. Contemplating a fake tatoo? Page 114. Considering boogie boarding? You’re covered. You’ll likely find a whole new batch of thing you want to try.

Step 3 – Learn how to use it.

Since words are at a minimum, symbols, images, and icons do much of the talking. Show Off begins with a guide to describe how to make sense of it all.

Step 4 – Examine the illustrations.

The artwork is bright and modern. Page layouts are varied, adding visual interest. They clearly show, so fewer words are needed to tell.

Step 5 – Dive in.

Broken into broad sections with titles like Amaze, Create, and Explore, there is plenty to learn. The difficulty level of the activities covered  – from the simplicity of shadow puppets to the more advanced “cereal box speakers”, is nicely varied.

Step 7 – Burn the receipt (if purchased).

You ain’t gonna need it. Add to your collection and alert reluctant readers accordingly.

Check out the Nonfiction Monday roundup at SimplyScience Blog.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

Binky the Space Cat
By Ashley Spires
Kids Can Press
ISBN: 9781554533091
$16.95
Grades 2-4
In Stores
Review copy provided by publisher

*Recommended*

The pet who thinks it knows better than its owner is a mainstay protagonist in children’s literature and popular culture in general. From Mark Teague’s LaRue books to Garfield, young readers enjoy animals who believe themselves to be the brains of the operation. In Binky the Space Cat, Ashley Spires takes a feline who thinks he knows better than his humans, adds deadpan humor and a gently off-beat storyline to craft a pleasingly quirky graphic novel that should make the rounds quite nicely.

He doesn’t know it, but Binky is a bit confused. Outer space and aliens? Couldn’t be farther from the truth. “Outer space” is actually the world outside the house he lives in. “Aliens” are the bugs that pester him and his owners. In order to stop an alien invasion Binky becomes Space Cat qualified and builds a rocket to take him into the great unknown. He trains hard for the big day. When the countdown begins Binky realizes that there is one thing he can’t leave behind – two things actually. The big human and the small human he protects.

Muted tones dominate the ink and watercolor illustrations, nicely juxtaposing the outlandish ideas of our hero. Everything is not as calm as it may seem.

A graphic novel for younger readers that has plenty going for it, Binky the Space Cat makes for a solid addition to your collection.

Also reviewed by Young Readers, Good Comics for Kids.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally)
By Lisa Yee
Illustrated by Dan Santat
Arthur A. Levine Books
ISBN: 9780545055925
$15.99
Grades 2-4
In Stores Sept. 1, 2009
Review copy borrowed

*Recommended*

In a climate where you can’t throw a dinner roll without hitting five or six new series, Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally) is a middle grade school story (and first in a series) that stands out with humor, believability, and a subtle touch.

4th grade is about to begin and Bobby Ellis-Chan is feeling uneasy. Third grade was a disaster, his friend Holly Harper has started hanging around with girlie-girl Jillian Zarr, and his ex-pro football player father (a.k.a. “The Freezer”) is having a tough time with the domestic duties of being a stay at home dad. To add insult to injury, his allergies are so bad that a pet dog is completely out of the question. As the school year begins and Bobby unintentionally stokes a boys vs. girls feud, the election for student council representative between he and Holly takes on heightened importance. If only Bobby could avoid embarrassing himself, he might have a shot. That goes down the tubes due to an unfortunate case of static cling.

While a fair share of craziness ensues, the friendship between Bobby and Holly is well executed. Yee doesn’t suddenly throw a love/hate switch on the two main characters, but treats the relationship as one that is slowly strained. A touch of subtlety that is nice to see.

Speaking of subtlety, just about every character in Bobby vs. Girls is thoughtfully round. This avoidance of stereotypes results in some believable and memorable characters. Young readers will likely want to learn more about Bobby’s unusual family and his friend Chess.

The illustrations (which were only in draft form in the uncorrected proof I read) look promising. Modern and bold, they should be a nice addition.

Interesting characters, funny situations, and an old fashioned boys vs. girls throw-down. Middle grade done right.

Also reviewed by Kids Lit.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

Road to Revolution! (The Cartoon Chronicles of America)
By Stan Mack and Susan Champlin
Bloomsbury Children’s Books
ISBN: 9781599900131
$16.99
Grades 4-7
In Stores
Review copy provided by publisher

*Recommended*

Quality graphic novels based on historical events are hard to find. And there have been many attempts. You’ve probably seen ‘em while flipping through a catalog full of nonfiction:

Your reluctant readers are going to love I Am Not a Crook, the Watergate graphic novel!

The problem? Many of these titles employ the following formula:

1. Take important elements of historical event

2. Draw some stiff panels depicting these events

3. Pack the caption boxes to the point of bursting

4. Add brief, awkward dialog

5. Run the presses

The result? A dull series of tableau-esqe panels that don’t do much to actually increase kid appeal. Road to Revolution! is not one of these. By adding “fictional characters who get caught up with real-life people and events”, cartoonist Stan Mack and writer/editor Susan Champlin skillfully inject life into the American Revolution. The first in a planned four book series focusing on American history, Road to Revolution! is a success.

Main characters Nick and Penny did not actually exist, but they could have. Penny is the spirited daughter of a Boston tavern owner. Nick is a quick-witted orphan, living on the streets. When Penny saves Nick from capture, the two strike up a friendship based on the building tension between the 13 Colonies and England. As the build-up to war continues, the pair help the revolutionary forces, eventually spying and fighting for the freedom of America.

After the prologue, which explains the sources of resentment between the two sides, the action is brisk. Humor plays a part as well, lightening the mood at various points in the story. Given the fiction/nonfiction format of Road to Revolution!, I was glad to see that the authors included an epilogue that describes where artistic liberties were taken.

The style of artwork may be a drawback in terms of attracting readers. While the cartoonish illustrations are colorful and  lively, they lack the level of hipness that many comics-loving graphic novel fans are used to. This will likely be more of a factor for readers on the older end of this book’s target audience (6th-7th graders). I’m not sure if this is going to be a sure thing for fans of, say, Amulet or Into the Volcano, but it may also serve to attract a different audience.

Overall, an entertaining and informative affair. If you’re going to be stocking graphic novels based on historical events, you’ll be doing the right thing by adding Road to Revolution!

Check out the Nonfiction Monday roundup at Write About Now.

Also reviewed by Reading Rumpus, Many a Quaint and Curious Volume,

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

Dying to Meet You: 43 Old Cemetery Road: Book 1
By Kate Klise
Illustrated by M. Sarah Klise
Harcourt
ISBN: 9780152057275
$15.00
Grades 3-5
In Stores

*Recommended*

Also reviewed by emilyreads, Muddy Puddle Musings, Westbury Kids, TheHappyNappyBookseller.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

Sergio Saves the Game!
By Edel Rodriguez
Little, Brown
ISBN: 9780316066174
$15.99
Grades K-2
In Stores

*Recommended*

What is it about Sergio books that move me to make confessions? In my review of the stellar Sergio Makes a Splash last year, I admitted to being a nose-plug swimmer. This time around, in considering Sergio Saves the Game!, I am feeling it necessary to admit my bias toward the sport featured in the story: soccer. I love soccer. I played from my youth through college. Great sport. Any chilren’s book showcasing the beautiful game is bound to get a bit more attention from your humble reviewer. This measured excitement often leads to disappointment. Not this time. While it doesn’t quite match the highs of its predecessor in terms of tension and resolution, Sergio Saves the Game! comes pretty close.

Sergio dreams of being a soccer star. In real life, the penguin is not as athletic as he would like. With the biggest game of the year approaching (against the imposing Seagulls), Sergio continues to improve as goaltender. When the game comes down to the final penalty shot, Sergio uses all his talents to save the win for his team. It may not be the way he planned it, but Sergio (and the reader) will be pleased with the unexpected resolution.

The woodblock print and digital media illustrations have a vibrantly retro feel, which makes sense given the old/new techniques Rodriguez used to create them. As in the first Sergio installment, the color palate is limited, employing orange and teal. This time out, a touch of red also joins the mix. The bright illustrations will stand out nicely during read-aloud time.

Wonderful artwork, humor, and a storyline that will hold readers right up to the end – Sergio Saves the Game! is a title that deserves to be in your picture book collection.

Watch an interview with author/illustrator Edel Rodriguez:

Also reviewed by Thing 1 and Thing 2.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute (Lunch Lady #1)
By Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Alfred A. Knopf (Random House)
ISBN: 9780375846830
$11.99
Grades 2-4
In Stores July 28, 2009

*Recommended*

Remember when you were in school and the cafeteria was serving pizza for lunch? There was always a bit of excitement on those days. Sure, it wasn’t the best pizza in the world, but it was still pizza. The allure of the food outweighed the fact that it wasn’t always stellar eatin’. Such is the feeling I got while reading Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute, the first installment of Jarrett J. Krosoczka’s graphic novel series for young readers. What it lacks in character development, it makes up for with a large dose of appeal.

There has possibly never been a hero with a more wildly contrasting alter ego than the lunch lady at Thompson Brook School. With the help of her assistant, Betty, Lunch Lady fights crime when she’s not serving chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes. When a new substitute teacher shows up to fill in for a popular teacher, his odd behavior makes lunch lady and the “Breakfast Bunch” (a trio of friends who eat breakfast in the cafeteria) suspicious. When Lunch Lady decides to trail the sub, the Breakfast Bunch do the same to Lunch Lady. It turns out suspicions were well founded on both accounts. The result, in classic comic form, is an all-out abandoned warehouse brawl.

There are clever touches everywhere in this book. All of the gadgets are lunchroom-related. Betty has created helicopter spatulas, exploding chicken nuggets, and other tools to help Lunch Lady get the job done. You have to see the stroke of genius Betty achieves with fish sticks.

Not only will the gadgets amuse, but the dialog also has plenty of cafeteria talk. All of Lunch Lady’s exclamations are food-inspired. Instead of “oh no!” you get “good gravy!” I can already see kids cracking smiles at these.

A shortcoming I noticed was in the development of the Breakfast Bunch. I couldn’t quite pin down their personalities, making them sort of tough to distinguish. I’m hopeful this will change, however, as the series continues and the characters of Hector, Dee, and Terrance have the opportunity to become more round.

The artwork and overall design will be a draw to young readers. Krosoczka’s ink illustrations are clean and uncluttered, providing plenty of space for color. I say color singular because, as evidenced by the cover, yellow is the pigmentation of choice here. Variations on the hue appear in every panel, giving the book a nice, unified look.

One thing I realized after reading, and then had to check back in the book to confirm is that Lunch Lady does not disguise her identity when fighting crime. While the kids who witness her taking on the robots promise not to tell, the whole “absence of a mask” thing is tricky. Lunch lady will either have to rely on a lot of people to help keep her secret or she’ll have to do her crime fighting covertly. Or (I just thought of option #3!) the secret identity isn’t that important at all and it’s okay for everyone to know. I’m curious to see how this is dealt with in future installments of this series.

Not an instant home run, but sporting charm to spare, Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute is a clever start to what could be a solid series.

Watch the book trailer for Lunch Lady:

Lunch Lady is being turned into a movie, click here to read more.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

Dinotrux
By Chris Gall
Little, Brown
ISBN: 9780316027779
$16.99
Grades PreK-2
In Stores

*Recommended*

The Scene: A packed courtroom.

Judge: We will now hear closing arguments in the case of Young Readers vs. Dinotrux. Mr. Scope Notes, representing Young Readers, will be first.

Scope Notes: Thank you your Honor. Members of the jury, I trust that when you review the facts of this case, you will find that Dinotrux by Chris Gall (Dear Fish, There’s Nothing to Do on Mars) is so appealing to children, especially boys, that it constitutes an infringement on free will. Children will want to read this book. The premise that hybrid dinosaur/trucks used to rule the earth ignites curiosity, while the brief, expressive text all but demands repeat reading.

Dinotrux Lawyer: Objection! That’s his personal opinion, your Honor.

Judge: Overruled. He’s making some good points here. Proceed.

Scope Notes: Even without the illustrations, this story would be a crowd pleaser – with them it’s a crime. Gall’s motion-filled artwork will pull readers in from page one. Sporting his signature crosshatching and rich colors, children will not, I repeat, will not be able to look away. Allow me to refresh your memory:

Exhibit A

Scope Notes: The conclusion is also a winner. The idea that some dinotrux survived extinction and evolved into the trucks that roam the earth today just brings it all home. Kids who read this book will certainly look at bulldozers, dump trucks, and cement mixers in a new light. The fact that they are turning this book into a movie only supports my argument.

In closing, I urge you, members of the jury, to find in favor of young readers everywhere and declare Dinotrux criminally appealing. I leave you with the following video:

Judge: Thank you, Mr. Scope Notes, the attorney representing Dinotrux may now make closing arguments.

Dinotrux Lawyer: Thank you. It is clear that this book will be clamored-for among children. It is also clear that it will be enjoyed immensely. Since I can’t deny any of the claims presented against my client, I would like to move that parents, teachers, bookstores, and libraries be allowed to add the book to their collections so that young readers can decide for themselves.

Judge: This is unprecedented. Mr. Scope Notes, are you willing to comply with this request?

Scope Notes: I will comply.

Judge: I hereby declare this trial adjourned.

Also reviewed by A Fuse #8 Production, Pam’s Private Reflections, books4yourkids.com, Publishers Weekly.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

Doc Wilde and the Frogs of Doom
By Tim Byrd
G. P. Putnam’s Sons (Penguin)
ISBN: 9780399247835
$15.99
Grades 4-6
In Stores

*Recommended*

Chapter 1

Travis sits down to review the new middle grade adventure Doc Wilde and the Frogs of Doom. He decides to incorporate the book’s cliffhanger-heavy style into the review when there is a knock at the door. He gets up as the knocking becomes more urgent. When Travis opens the door, he can’t believe what he sees.

Chapter 2

It is his old college roommate Greg. Average height with dark hair, Greg anxiously asks what books Travis has been reading lately. Surprised, but relieved, Travis offers his friend a refreshment and begins to tell Greg about Doc Wild. After a few seconds, without warning, Greg spits out his drink all over the living room.

Chapter 3

“A secret civilization of mutated manfrogs?” Greg exclaims, after apologizing for making a mess.

“Indeed”, says Travis. “They live in the jungles of South America, in a tiny country called the Republic of Hildalgo. They are after an object that, in their evil hands, could bring the world to its knees.”

Chapter 4

“The object is a small carved emerald frog. It holds the key to bringing their leader, Frogon, back from another dimension. There’s just one problem. One BIG problem.”

Chapter 5

“The frog is in the possession of the world renowned adventurer Doc Wilde. Along with his daughter Wren, son Brian, Phineas Bartlett (attorney), and Declan mac Coul (driver/pilot), Doc is lured to Hidalgo to find his father, who has been kidnapped. It is there that the powers of the emerald frog reveal themselves, taking over the body of Declan mac Coul, and putting the fate of the world in danger.”

“Hold on!” says Greg, “I have a very important question to ask you”.

Chapter 6

“Will kids like it?” asks Greg.

“Many will”, Travis responds. “It’s full of excitement, gadgets, and gross frogs. Reluctant readers will likely approve of the short chapters and no-nonsense plot pacing.” Travis looks around, and continues, “But there’s one more thing.” Greg leans in and listens carefully to what comes next.

Chapter 7

“Inspired by the Doc Savage pulp adventures from the ’30s and ’40s, Doc Wilde and his family are heroes in the classic sense: smart, athletic, strong, well-traveled, and good-looking. The author, aware of how impossible this is, presents these over-the-top characters with a bit of subtle humor, which every kid won’t pick up on. This fact isn’t likely to deter many, however.”

Greg takes this all in and gives the cover a thoughtful glance. After a couple seconds of careful though, he blurts out “Don Johnson!”

Chapter 8

“What?” says a confused Travis.

“Doc Wilde. He kinda looks like Don Johnson on the cover. A nice touch. Anyway, sound like this is an adventure that young readers will approve of. Mind if I give it a read?”

Travis slowly puts out an open hand. “As soon as I review it.”

End

Also reviewed by BookHound, Book Nut.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

Trouble Magnet (Calvin Coconut #1)
by Graham Salisbury
Illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers
Wendy Lamb Books (Random House)
ISBN: 9780385737012
$12.99
Grades 3-5
In Stores

*Recommended*

It seems like every other book that’s published these days has a #1 slapped on the spine. I can understand why. Series books allow readers to get comfortable with characters and form a connection that can last over the course of a lot of reading. They’re also the ultimate “what do I read next” solution:

Young Reader: What should I read next?

Me: Well, you read and enjoyed the first outing of Horrible Harry, correct? Might I humbly suggest that you will likely find the second installment of interest.

Young Reader: Why are you talking like that?

Me: Sorry. Try book #2.

Anyway, series books often introduce characters that kids want to go on adventures with. Magic Treehouse, Harry Potter, Nate the Great, Cam Jansen, The 39 Clues – the list truly goes on and on, and is growing. Kids like series books. And kids are gonna like Calvin Coconut. In Trouble Magnet (Calvin Coconut #1), readers are introduced to a character that is instantly likable, living in a unique setting, getting into the sort of situations that kids will laugh about and identify with. Push this one on your series-loving young readers.

Calvin lives with his mom and six-year-old sister Darci in Kailua, on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Just about to start 4th grade (and looking forward to his ex-army teacher Mr. Purdy), Calvin receives some surprising news and some bad news. The surprising news is that the Coconuts will be taking on a temporary new member, 15-year-old Stella, from Texas. The bad news is that she’ll be taking over Calvin’s room (moving him to the bug-infested garage) and eliminating his status as the oldest kid in the family. While our hero tries to sort out that predicament, he also has to do his best to fend off the slow witted school bully (sixth grader Tito Andrade) who seems to have it in for him. These two situations eventually collide, paving the way for a conclusion that will please young readers.

When I first got a load of this book I couldn’t help but think “the story takes place in Hawaii and the main character’s last name is Coconut? Isn’t that sort of, I don’t know, offensive?” That concern was put to rest quickly however when the reader learns that Calvin’s father, a one-hit-wonder singer, changed the family’s last name to Coconut from Novio for career purposes. It’s a showbiz thing. This back story also clues the reader into the fact that Calvin’s dad left for the bright lights of the mainland four years ago and has yet to return.

Calvin himself is refreshingly normal, and his personality drives the jovial, upbeat mood of Trouble Magnet. He’s not a genius, but not a poor student either. Funny, but not a class clown. When difficult situations arise, it isn’t the end of the world to Calvin, but it isn’t fun either. There’s a realism to the character that kids will find comfortable.

With so many #1s being applied to spines these days, it’s easy for new series to run together. With humor, likeable characters, and loads of readability, Trouble Magnet stands out. Keep checking for Calvin Coconut.

Read a Publishers Weekly Q & A with author Graham Salisbury.

Also reviewed by Kidliterate, Literate Lives, Roundtable Reviews.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

Max Disaster #1: Alien Eraser to the Rescue
By Marissa Moss
Candlewick Press
ISBN: 9780763644079
$15.99
Grades 2-4
In Stores May 12, 2009

*Recommended*

My favorite food may be the Oreo Blizzard. The crushed chocolate cookies are a perfect match to vanilla ice cream. Turn that vanilla into coffee ice cream? Even better. Add some peanut butter and you may not eat another dessert again. The only thing that gets in the way of Oreo Blizzard perfection is a poor mixing job. Blizzard connoisseurs can feel me. Every now and then, for some reason, the cookies are not mixed throughout the ice cream. They penetrate only an inch or two, leaving the bottom half of the cup snow-white and cookie-free. Bad news. Having a good mix is key to success. It makes every bite a pleasure. The same is true of children’s books. When the good stuff is evenly distributed throughout, that makes for good reading. Max Disaster #1: Alien Eraser to the Rescue has this mix down. Heavily illustrated and funny, yet still packing an emotional punch, each page is a pleasure.

Red-haired Max has a scientific mind. Always inventing and experimenting, Max decides to keep a notebook to write it all down. The books also serves as a place for he and his best friend Omar to create comics featuring a green eraser modified to look like an alien. It isn’t long before Max’s family life begins to make an appearance. Max’s parents (both scientists themselves) have not been getting along lately and older brother Kevin is doing his best to detach himself from the situation. As Max sorts out his feelings, school becomes a place where he can find relief. When his parents decide to separate, the notebook becomes a place for Max to confide his worries about living life with divorced parents. The conclusion he reaches does not make for a typical happy ending – it’s a bit abrupt – but it does ring true.

While the subject matter is serious, the overall tone of the book is not somber. The sadness is tempered with funny moments and scientific exploration that keep spirits up.

Illustrations play an integral role. If you’re familiar with Moss’ successful “Amelia’s Notebook” series, then you’ll be familiar with what the interior of Alien Eraser is like. Colorful and full of creative doodles, readers will find plenty to like.

A masterful mix of visual interest, humor, information, and emotional truth, Max Disaster #1: Alien Eraser to the Rescue is a wonderful beginning to a series that could become a fan favorite.

Visit the Marissa Moss website.

Also reviewed by Children’s Book Reviews and Then Some.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

Dinosaurs in Your Backyard
By Hugh Brewster
Illustrated by Alan Barnard
Abrams Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780810970991
$15.95
Grades 2-4
In Stores

*Recommended*

I had heard about feral (see: wild) cats before last spring, but I didn’t take much notice until I discovered a pack of them living in my backyard. Nowadays, if you’re talking feral (approximate percentage of the population who are “talking feral”: 0.01%), I’m all ears. Indeed, subjects take on new meaning when there is a personal connection. Banking on this truism, Dinosaurs in Your Backyard sets out to school readers on the dinos that once roamed close to home, in the United States. Not a universal source for all things prehistoric and reptilian, Dinosaurs in Your Backyard successfully narrows the focus.

The first thing readers need to realize is that the United States of America (or the land on which it would one day stand) looked quite different 70 million years ago. This difference is described up front, establishing the context for the dinosaur details that follow. Each two-page spread tackles a different group of dino, beginning with Tyrannosaurs and continuing through ocean dwellers, duckbills, horned dinos, and points in between. The book concludes with more big-picture information, with sections dedicated to dinosaur extinction, a nice timeline , glossary, and recommended reading guide.

The information presented is solid, making this title worthwhile for student reports and general fact-finding. The absence of a table of contents is a slight hitch, but not a major blow to its usefulness.

Barnard does well in creating illustrations that are visually interesting, but occasionally a stiffness creeps in. I realized while reading that the illustrations in nonfiction dinosaur books never seem to really wow me. I’m not sure if it’s the artist’s focus on making the depictions as accurate as possible, but the stiffness I mentioned is a fairly common trait among books in this category.

By keeping things local, Dinosaurs in Your Backyard will make a nice addition to your dino section and will work well for pleasure reading. Now if they would just come out with Feral Cats in Your Backyard, I’d be all set.

Check out the Nonfiction Monday roundup at SimplyScience Blog.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

Chicken Butt!
By Erica S. Perl
Illustrated by Henry Cole
Abrams Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780810983250
$12.92
Grades K-2
In Stores

*Recommended*

So here’s the question: How do you feel about a raucous storytime? Are you pro or con? Cause that’s what you’re going to have if you pull this one out during read-aloud. There are children’s books that work well when shared, then you have books like Chicken Butt, that are created for group settings. Say goodbye to the “fouth wall” - readers are invited into the story from page one. While the central joke isn’t new, this winning combination of humor and the element of surprise will make for a memorable read aloud.

When the title of a book is chicken butt, you can imagine where things are going. After a lost chicken follows a brown-haired boy home, he decides to spring that age old question, “You know what?”, upon his unsuspecting father, who responds with a simple, “What?” The answer (”Chicken butt!”) comes when the page is turned, with the chicken providing a visual aid. A series of similar question-and-answer exchanges ensue, with a range of fowl anatomy (thigh, eyebrow, etc.) brought into the mix. The father eventually grows weary of this game and wants to put an end to it. But the boy, using all his powers of persuasion, gets his dad to answer one last question - the answer to which will be a sure-fire crowd pleaser.

If you’ve read Leslie Helakoski’s Big Chickens than you’re familiar with Henry Cole. Loose and expressive, Cole’s illustrations set the right mood for this sort of story.

Really, this is less of a review than it is a question. Are you ready for the sort of  rip-roaring storytime that this book promises? While adults (like the one in the book) may not be thrilled with the premise of Chicken Butt, kids will be unquestionably sold.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

The Potato Chip Puzzles: The Puzzling World of Winston Breen
By Eric Berlin
G. P. Putnam’s Sons
ISBN: 9780399251986
$16.99
Grades 4-6
In Stores

*Recommended*

A Choose Your Own Review

You pick up The Potato Chip Puzzles, sequel to The Puzzling World of Winston Breen.

If you have read The Puzzling World of Winston Breen, go to blue.

If you have not read The Puzzling World of Winston Breen, go to green.

Having read The Puzzling World of Winston Breen, you’re familiar with the characters and format of the book.

If you liked The Puzzling World of Winston Breen, go to orange.

If you didn’t like The Puzzling World of Winston Breen, go to purple.

You have not read The Puzzling World of Winston Breen, but you are intrigued by this new installment. You read the first couple pages and learn that the titular Winston is a middle schooler and first-rate puzzle solver.

The story hits the ground running. After Winston helps solve a puzzle that enters his school in a one day, $50,000 puzzle contest sponsored by local snack food company owner Dimitri Simon, a team is assembled to take home the prize. Working together with math teacher Mr. Garvey and friends Mal and Jake, Winston is hopeful about their chances. The day arrives and the various schools begin to compete. The first team to solve the 6 puzzles Simon has scattered around town will win the giant check. Things start off on the wrong foot when Winston’s team promptly gets a flat tire. After they recover, it soon becomes clear that there is a saboteur. Who is this person, and which team does the cheater belong to? A simple puzzle contest takes on a whole new dimension.

While the storyline itself involves solving puzzles, there are also smaller brain-teasers thrown into the mix. The story doesn’t depend on you solving them, but the answers are in the back for those who would like to give them a shot.

Overall, The Potato Chip Puzzles is a thoroughly entertaining read, even for people who have not read the first book. You’re looking forward to what Winston Breen does next.

The End.

You enjoyed the original, so you dive into this new installment. You soon discover that the elements that you loved in the first book (fast-paced plot, mystery, puzzles everywhere) make a welcome return. When you finish the book, you decide that The Potato Chip Puzzles absolutely lives up to its predecessor, and are looking forward to recommending it to friends.

The End.

You didn’t like the original, but you decide to read the first few pages anyway. After learning that The Potato Chip Puzzles has many of the same elements of the first book, you put it back on the shelves. Replacing the book triggers a trap door in the floor and you find yourself locked in a room where Milli Vanilli’s Blame it on the Rain is played on repeat.

The End.

Also reviewed by A Patchwork of Books.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

My Unwilling Witch Goes to Ballet School (Rumblewick’s Diary #1)
By Hiawyn Oram
Illustrated by Sarah Warburton
Little, Brown
ISBN: 9780316034722
$9.99
Grades 2-4
In Stores May 1, 2009

*Recommended*

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

(Comics created using Bitstrips)

The Curious Garden
By Peter Brown
Little, Brown
ISBN: 9780316015479
$16.99
Grades K-3
In Stores

*Recommended*

Scope Notes: Introducing  today’s guest reviewer, Mr. Message!

Hello! Yes, yes, my name is Mr. Message. You probably know me from my countless appearances in books, especially the “for children” variety. It’s my job to expose a universal truth or support a cause. Sometimes I even tell the reader how they should act. As you may know, I can be controversial.

Sometimes, people get upset when authors make it really clear that I’m coming to the party. They put me front and center, and the story takes a back seat. Hey, I can be preachy if that’s what the author wants! I don’t always raise a stink, though. Occasionally, authors cleverly sneak me into a story, making as little disruption as possible. The reader hardly knows I’m there.

Then you have an author like Peter Brown (Chowder, Flight of the Dodo) and his book The Curious Garden. In this book I tell kids that caring for the environment makes a better world. Peter somehow manages to to make me the center of attention, yet not so preachy that it feels like readers are learning a lesson. There’s a kind of take-it-or-leave-it nonchalance that I quite like.

The story is about a red-haired boy named Liam. He lives in a dreary town without a plant to speak of. No trees, no flowers, nothing but cement and smog. One day Liam happens upon a staircase which leads to the abandoned railroad tracks. What our hero discovers there changes his life. He finds plants. It’s not much - some sad looking grass and a few flowers on their deathbeds, but Liam decides to nurse them back to health. As they get better, the vegetation begins to spread, and soon other folks begin to follow Liam’s lead. After a while the town, once dingy and gray, is transformed.

While Peter did a great job adding me to the story, his acrylic and gouache illustrations really steal the show. The man is a master of perspective, always choosing the right angle to add life to the story. The beating heart of this book is right in the middle. Two wordless two-page spreads show the amazing growth of Liam’s garden. In fact, the illustrations are such that this book would function pretty well were it completely wordless.

While I, Mr. Message, would love to take sole credit for the success of The Curious Garden, more praise should go to Mr. Brown, who created beautiful images, tamed my preachy side, and crafted a lovely story.

Also reviewed by Kiss the Book.

Find this book at your local library with WorldCat.

(”Mr. Message” Image: ‘envelope‘
www.flickr.com/photos/98624608@N00/75699271)