Customer Comments

First off, not my favorite Newbery. My main issue is that Kit is just too defiant to be either believable or sympathetic. Far be it from me to criticize a sassy heroine but Kit felt more like a transplant from the twentieth century than Barbados. And really? A long suffering, saint-like cripple character? Ack. But, on the positive side, I enjoyed Kit's unconventional contributions to the dame school. And this book did teach me the significance of the name Horn Book Magazine so I thank it for that. Mary Beth Hurt does a fine job handling the diverse cast of characters' voices. I was going to quibble with her performance of Kit because she came off as a total priss but then I realized, Kit is a total priss, so well played, Madam.

After moving to the United States from Korea, Yoon struggles to assimilate into English-speaking culture while retaining her Korean identity. Because Yoon dislikes the way her name looks in English script, she refuses to write it on any of her school papers, preferring to adopt the new identities of "cat," "bird," and "cupcake" instead. While Yoon will have immediate appeal for ESL students, the search for identity is universal among all children and, therefore, the book has a broad appeal. While the subject matter will appeal most to early elementary school students (who are learning to write themselves), the text is too sophisticated for the audience's reading level. Ideally, the book would be read aloud by an adult to no more than three children at a time so the detailed illustrations can be appreciated by everyone.

Binky is an ordinary Canadian housecat - but don't tell him that! He believes he is a "space cat," duty bound to defeat the alien race (otherwise known as bugs to us naïve humans.) Spires created a fun and humorous graphic novel targeted at older elementary students, as well as adults. The illustrations carry the bulk of the narrative so this title might be enjoyable to pre-readers as well. Cat lovers are an obvious audience but this title will appeal to anyone who has wondered why animals do the crazy things they do. The sequel, Binky to the Rescue, published in 2010, is also strong.

Ballet for Martha shares the story of how dancer Martha Graham, composer Aaron Copland, and architect Isamu Noguchi collaborated to create the renowned dance performance, Appalachian Spring. Readers encounter the entire process of creating Appalachian Spring, from its origins in Graham's imagination, to its adaptation and expansion in light of Copland's completed score and Noguchi's set design, to the night of the first performance. Greenberg doesn't shy away from portraying collaboration and the process of creating art as difficult. We learn that all of the artists involved in the project struggled to bring the project to life. Despite being 2-D and static, Floca's excellent water color illustrations manage to capture the exuberance of the original performance. Source notes, a bibliography, and biographies of Graham, Copland, and Noguchi are presented at the book's end. An excellent introduction to Appalachian Spring as well as the careers of three indispensable American artists.

When his Uncle gives him a magical book for his birthday, Joe and his two best friends are transported back in time, where they encounter the knights of the round table, a giant, the famous sorcerer Merlin, and a dragon. This fast paced transitional chapter book is thematically similar to Mary Pope Osborne's Magic Treehouse and should appeal to fans of that series. This first book in the series ends satisfactorily but whets the readers' appetite for the sequels. The book's short length and generously spaced text lay-out are perfect for the intended age level. Lane Smith's exaggerated, art deco reminiscent illustrations add interest and often help inform the text. Especially recommended for reluctant male readers in 3rd to 5th grade who should appreciate Scieszka's conversational and authentic "guy" voice.

After their parents mysteriously disappear, Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are sent to live with their grandmother, a woman they had been told was dead. Upon arrival the girls learn that they are the last descendants of the Brothers Grimm and the town they now call home is a haven for Everafters, or fairy tale characters. They soon become caught up in an adventure involving pixies, a giant, the Big Bad Wolf, and even the former Prince Charming. Readers familiar with fairy tales and A Midsummer Night's Dream will enjoy being able to recognize the classic characters as they enter the story. The pace is quick and the adventure exciting. The beautiful book design adds to the reading experience. Each chapter is headed with an old fashioned cameo and Peter Ferguson's soft pencil illustrations add to the appeal. Recommended for public and school library collections. Might be of special interest to schools with units on Grimm fairy tales.

Although there are many theories, no one knows for certain why, in 1692, young Puritan girls accused their neighbors of practicing witchcraft during the infamous Salem Witch Trials. In Wicked Girls, Hemphill, winner of a Printz Honor for Your Own, Sylvia: A Verse Portrait of Sylvia Plath, proposes that the girls faked their fits to gain attention and enact revenge against those who had wronged them. The story is told in verse and the perspective alternates between three of the young female "seers": an upper class girl named Ann, Mercy, Ann's servant, and Margaret, Ann's cousin. Each brief, free verse poem is titled and the speaker is identified in italics beneath the title. The resulting narrative reads like Mean Girls set in Puritanical times. Although the setting is historical, teens will recognize the forces that compel the girls to bear witness against their fellow villagers. Hemphill intends to represent the entire year of witch hunt hysteria and, as a result, the book drags considerably in the middle when little changes apart from more squabbling between the girls. Unfortunately, although Hemphill is a talented poet, the verse format often distracts from the story being told. The girls' narrative voices are not dissimilar enough to register, forcing the reader to rely on the identifications at the beginning of each poem and halting the flow of the story. The cover doesn't have much shelf appeal but teens are likely to enjoy the book once they are encouraged to read it. Further biographies on the main characters and a bibliography of recommended sources is included after the novel's conclusion. Hemphill also provides an author's note explaining her research process, her intentions, and some of the liberties she took to serve the story she wanted to tell.

Twin sisters Ling and Ting may look alike but, as the title implies, they are not "exactly the same"! Grace Lin impresses with her first easy reader. This charming book, divided into six short chapters, echoes the mischievous humor of Beverly Cleary's Ramona series. Lin's colorful illustrations are plentiful and will help the new reader puzzle out the text's meaning. Beginning readers are sure to be entertained while they practice their reading skills. Ling & Ting is highly recommended for easy reader shelves within public and school libraries for its engaging format and multicultural perspective. Its quality is in line with the standard bearer of the genre Frog and Toad Are Friends. Lin announced in January 2011 that sequels are planned. Fun trivia: Look closely at the books that Ling and Ting are reading. If you're familiar with Lin's previous work, you'll recognize the covers of several of her other titles.

Melaka Fray is a fifteen year old thief living in a distopian Manhattan who is most concerned with staying alive for one more day. She's always been stronger and healed more quickly than anyone else but she never gave it much thought. Then one day Melaka learns that she's a vampire slayer and must decide whether she'll join in a battle that might be her last. Whedon, best known for his television programs Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Firefly, has written a comic book similar in tone to his previous works that will appeal to his fans. Melaka is a variation on his most famous character, Buffy, and the pacing is reminiscent of Whedon's television writing. Given Whedon's popularity, the current interest in graphic novels, and the engaging narrative, this title is sure to be popular with teens. This would be a great selection for reluctant readers.

The third book in the Nathaniel Fludd Beastologist series picks up immediately where its predecessor left off. Nathaniel, studying to join his family's profession as a Beastologist, or caretaker of mythical creatures, and his Aunt Phil are hot on the trail of the mysterious man encountered in Book 2, The Basilisk's Lair, whom they suspect released a basilisk in an attempt to double cross them. But on their journey to find the mysterious man, they encounter an even more threatening situation: a band of wyverns (a type of dragon) has decided to rebel because they believe humans have reneged on the ancient human-dragon pact. Now Nathaniel and Aunt Phil must race to appease the wyverns before it's too late! This title is intended to be a transitional chapter book. It features Murphy's charming black and white pen illustrations every 2-3 pages, generously spaced type, and twenty-one lines per page. More complex vocabulary makes it best for confident independent readers. Given The Wyvern's Treasure's focus on mythical creatures, it's recommended for young fans of The Fairy-Tale Detectives or those who wished they could enroll in The Care of Magical Creatures along with Harry Potter. The story is suspenseful but never frightening. Although part of a series, for the most part this book stands on its own. The next title in the series will be released early next year (2011).

Although reluctant to learn at first, Rocket discovers a passion for reading with the help of an enthusiastic teacher. Hills' newest book is being marketed as a combination picture book/easy reader. The book trailer features children reading the book to themselves and the acknowledgments credit a professor of "reading education" at James Mason University, among other relevant experts. However, Rocket is not an easy reader, that is, not quite. While some of the text would be perfect for a child who is just learning to read ("Rocket loved to play. He loved to chase leaves and chew sticks."), some of it is probably too difficult ("'Ah, the wondrous, mighty, gorgeous alphabet,' she marveled.") While it's conceivable that a child could read the whole book alone without becoming frustrated, it's very likely that child would consider themselves too old for a picture book. I estimate that the text as a whole scores at least third grade reading comprehension. But a third grader has probably moved on to transitional chapter books and might be embarrassed to be seen with a picture book. The true audience for this book is first graders, who are learning to sound words out, just like Rocket does. But it's unlikely first graders could tackle words like "glorious," "disappeared," or "interrupted" (all featured in the text) without an adult's coaching. The illustrations, while charming and detailed, do not support the text's meaning or give clues for comprehension, as is common in other easy readers. It's recommended that caregivers "read" this book along with children. Let the child hold the book and read aloud but be ready to offer help during the more difficult passages. Alternately, it would make a good read-aloud for first or second graders. Children will enjoy spelling words out along with Rocket.

In 1851, Swedish suffragette Fredrika Bremer travels to Cuba to study the island's culture. She befriends a young slave girl and a landowner's daughter, inspiring the women to stand up to the injustices in their lives where possible. Engle based her novel in verse on Bremer's letters. The story is told through multiple perspectives, with each main character taking a turn telling their story in a short free verse poem. The title of each poem identifies the speaker. While the book is interesting, it lacks an engaging plot and might test young readers' patience, especially if they're resistant to reading poetry. At the end, Engle includes a biographical note about Bremer, an author's note offering an explanation about where historical facts were embellished, and a list of additional resources (mostly collections of Bremer's translated writings). This collection would serve as a good introduction to Bremer, a woman whose work deserves wider recognition.

Like Roald Dahl's Matilda before her, Theodosia Throckmorton can't get any respect. At the young age of eleven she already has a formidable knowledge of Egyptian theology and black magic but her parents are too consumed with running their museum of antiquities to notice. Even worse, the elder Throckmortons often unwittingly place themselves in harm's way, forcing Theodosia to rescue them (but always behind the scenes in order to spare their pride.) I think kids will love the many jabs at adults' apparent cluelessness. After all, what child hasn't pondered how life would be better if only they were in charge? Theodosia's adventures are not only thrilling, they're wish fulfillment - i.e. what theoretically would happen if a bright kid was afforded with the perfect venue for their talents? Unfortunately LaFevers isn't quite successful in capturing the voice of a young Edwardian girl. She makes a good effort to insert period expressions into the text but a strong (contemporary) American twang remains. I didn't think this marred the story at all but, if that type of thing bugs you, you've been warned. Oh, also, look up the meaning of the name "Theodosia" if you're not familiar. I did so on a whim and thought it was a clever choice, given the book's subject matter.