Elliott, Zetta. Melena’s Jubilee: The Story of a Fresh Start. Aaron Boyd, Illus. Picture Book. Tilbury, 10/2016. 26[+2]pp. PB $16.95. 978-0-884488-443-1. OUTSTANDING. GRADES PRE-4. Yesterday was rough for Melena; so much went wrong and everyone [continue reading]
Review
The Plot to Kill Hitler Review
McCormick, Patricia. Plot to Kill Hitler, The. Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Unlikely Hero. Non-fiction. Balzer & Bray, 09/2016. 174pp. $18.99. 978-0-06-241108-2. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 5-12. The youngest boy in a large, vivacious and talented family, Dietrich [continue reading]
To Stay Alive: Mary Ann Graves and the Tragic Journey of the Donner Party Review
Brown, Skila. To Stay Alive: Mary Ann Graves and the Tragic Journey of the Donner Party. Fiction. Candlewick, 10/2016. 275[+16]pp. $17.99. 978-0-7636-7811-1. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 7-12. Brown’s (Caminar, 2014) latest novel in free verse is told [continue reading]
Wonderfall Review
Hall, Michael. Wonderfall. Michael Hall, Illus. Picture Book. Greenwillow, 10/2016. [38]pp. $17.99. 978-0-06-238298-6. OUTSTANDING. GRADES PRE-2. Fifteen blended words: Peacefall, Dutifall, Plentifall, etc., are followed by a concise description of the events and changes observed [continue reading]
Girl Who Drank the Moon Review
Barnhill, Kelly. Girl Who Drank the Moon, The. Fiction. Algonquin, 08/2016. 386pp. $16.95. 978-1-61630-567-6. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 4-7. It is the annual practice of the Protectorate to leave the youngest child of the village in the [continue reading]
Owl Sees Owl Review
Godwin, Laura. Owl Sees Owl. Rob Dunlavey, Illus. Picture Book. Schwartz & Wade, 09/2016. [32]pp. $17.99. 978-0-553- 49782-3. OUTSTANDING. GRADES Toddler-2. A young owl sets out from the family nest on a moonlit journey. The [continue reading]
A Spy Called James: The True Story of James Lafayette, Revolutionary War Double Agent Review
Rockwell, Anne A Spy Called James: The True Story of James Lafayette, Revolutionary War Double Agent, Floyd Cooper, Illus. Biography. Carolrhoda, 11/2016. [36]pp. $17.99. 978-1-4677-4933-6. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 3-6. Rockwell’s succinct, second-sixth grade non-fiction read-aloud concerns [continue reading]
Inquisitor’s Tale Review
Gidwitz, Adam. Inquisitor’s Tale, The: Or, The Magical Children and Their Holy Dog. Hatem Aly, Illus. Fiction. Dutton, 09/2016. 363pp. $17.99. 978-0-525-42616-5. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 4-8. Gidwitz (A Tale Dark and Grimm, 2010) tackles medieval life, [continue reading]