Every month, we post an annotated bibliography of books that were rated ‘Outstanding’ and nominated for our Distinguished List at our previous month’s meeting. Members can see full reviews of these books and many more in the February edition of BayViews.
PICTURE BOOK
Wait written and illustrated by Portis, Antoinette; Roaring Book Press 2015
A mom and young son rush through streets to catch a train, but the boy wants to “Wait” and pet a dog, feed a duck, and look at a butterfly. This simple story is a lovely testament to slowing down and seeing the wonders that surround us every day. (PS-1)
FICTION
When Mischief Came to Town written by Nannestad, Katrina; HMH Books for Young Readers 2016
Sent to live with her grandmother on a remote island, tenyear-old Inge Maria arrives with plenty of energy, curiosity and mischief. A deft blend of humor and poignancy make this old-fashioned “feel good” story an excellent family or classroom read aloud. (2-5)
The Hollow Boy written by Stroud, Jonathan; Disney-Hyperion 2015
In this strong third entry in the series, the author has created an extraordinarily detailed world peopled with fine threedimensional characters, and guides them through a marvelously well-paced and intricate plot in which an epidemic of hauntings in Chelsea are investigated by the psychic agents of Lockwood & Co. (5-8)
The Bitter Side of Sweet written by Sullivan, Tara; G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers 2016
Fifteen-year-old Amadou describes the grim daily existence of a child slave on an Ivory Coast cacao plantation, and chronicles each harrowing moment of his attempted escape.
This relentlessly fast-paced yet touching story puts a human face on a bitter aspect of the contemporary chocolate business. (7-10)
EARLY READER
Dance! Dance! Underpants! written by Shea, Bob; Disney-Hyperion 2016
Will the audience laugh at Butter Bear’s underpants? Shea’s second book in this early reader series encourages the reader to follow their heart without worrying about what others are thinking in a series of cartoon sketches. (PS-2)
BIOGRAPHY
Frederick’s Journey: The Life of Frederick Douglass written by Rappaport, Doreen and illustrated by Ladd, London; Jump at the Sun 2015
This picture book biography focuses on Frederick Douglass, the man who escaped slavery to be a major abolitionist of the Civil War era. Each spread contains a few paragraphs of text along with a quotation or two from Douglass. Dramatic full-color paintings, don’t shy away from the more violent aspects of slavery and give the book a strong emotional impact. (2-5)
The Inker’s Shadow written and illustrated by Say, Allen; Scholastic Press 2015
Allan Say’s new autobiographical graphic memoir is a treasure. It takes up where “Drawing From Memory” (2011) leaves off and continues Allen’s progress as an artist after immigrating to California from Japan in the early 1950’s. (7-A)
NON-FICTION
How Rude! Real Bugs Who Won’t Mind Their Manners written by Montgomery, Heather and illustrated by McWilliams, Howard; Scholastic Non Fiction 2015
Insect faux pas including releasing smelly gas, carrying poop around, cannibalism, etc. explained with humor and fascinating fats. Solid purchase for budding entomologists
and fans of grossness. (1-5)
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