-
Hopkinson, Deborah. THE GREAT TROUBLE : A MYSTERY OF LONDON, THE BLUE DEATH, AND A BOY CALLED EEL
Hopkinson, Deborah. THE GREAT TROUBLE : A MYSTERY OF LONDON, THE BLUE DEATH, AND A BOY CALLED EEL New York : Knopf, 2013 IL 5-8, RL 4.0 ISBN 0375848185 Eel is a young orphan living in 1854 in London. He gets by doing odd jobs but he does a bit of mudlarking to make some money too. He has to keep a low profile because his dangerous step-father is out to kill him and his brother. Life is hard for Eel. But things are going to get harder. People living on Broad Street are starting to get ill. Everyone knows that cholera has found the poor people crammed into the house on Broad Street. One of Eel's odd jobs is to take care of the animals for Dr. John Snow, a very famous doctor. When Eel begs Dr. Snow for help, the doctor is more than anxious to investigate. He has a theory of how cholera spreads and he enlists Eel's help in proving it.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Today's podcast 08/31/2014
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Today's podcast 08/30/2014
-
Hood, Susan. THE TOOTH MOUSE New York : Kids Can Press, 2012 IL K-3, RL 2.9 ISBN 1554535654 When you loose a tooth, you probably put it under the pillow and wait for the tooth fairy to come and leave some money in exchange for the tooth. Well, did you know that in France, they think it is the Tooth Mouse who comes. Young Sophie Mouse loves pretending to be the Tooth Mouse. But when the real Tooth Mouse is looking for a replacement, Sophie has to prove she is up to the job.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Today's podcast 08/28/2014
-
Holm, Jennifer L. EIGHTH GRADE IS MAKING ME SICK
Holm, Jennifer L. EIGHTH GRADE IS MAKING ME SICK New York : Random House, 2012 IL 5-8, RL 5.3 ISBN 0375968512 We all know that 8th grade is a terrible year. Probably the worst year of all the school years. But Ginny is not going to let that happen to her. She has really big plans. She will make 8th grade the best one ever. She is going out for cheerleading. She wants to join the Virtual Vixens. And she may just fall in love. Well, you just know that plans don't always work out. The family need to move because her stepdad has lost his job. Her mother is pregnant. He brother keeps getting into trouble. Told in a series of post-it notes, scrapbook entries, comics and pictures, this is Ginny's journey through 8th grade.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Today's podcast 08/26/2014
-
Hoena, B. A. MATTHEW HENSON : ARCTIC ADVENTURER
Hoena, B. A. MATTHEW HENSON : ARCTIC ADVENTURER New York : Capstone, 2006 IL 5-8, RL 3.9 ISBN 0736846344 Way back about a hundred years ago, no one have ever been to the North Pole. Can you believe that? Well, the only way to get there was to walk so it is not too surprising. A young African America boy by the name of Matthew Henson learned about geography and navigation while serving as a cabin boy. As a young man, he was hired to be the valet of Robert Peary who was an explorer. Within a few years, Matthew would find himself on the way to the North Pole. There were several unsuccessful trips to the Pole before Matthew and Peary actually stepped foot on the Pole. Even though Matthew was there, when they got back to the States, he was rarely mentioned. You see, back in those days, African Americans were not seen as equals. It took years for Matthew to get the recognition he deserved. This is his story.
-
Hibbs, Gillian. TILLY'S STAYCATION
Hibbs, Gillian. TILLY'S STAYCATION New York : Child's Play, 2014 IL K-3 ISBN 9781846436017 Vacation time is coming soon. All of Tilly's friends are going on exciting vacations to faraway places. But where is Tilly going? Nowhere!! Her family is staying home. How boring!! She is upset but her mother assures her that their "staycation" will be as much fun as her friend's vacations.
Friday, August 22, 2014
Today's podcast 08/22/2014
-
Harvey, Jacqueline. ALICE-MIRANDA TAKES THE STAGE
Harvey, Jacqueline. ALICE-MIRANDA TAKES THE STAGE New York : Delacorte, 2013 IL 3-6, RL 5.3 ISBN 0385743335 Alice-Miranda is back for another semester at Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies. This semester is going to be great. The school is teaming up with the nearby boys' school to put on a play. The girls are all looking forward to this. All the girls except the new one. Sloane has a different idea in mind. Can Alice-Miranda figure out what is going on before things get out of hand?
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Today's podcast 08/21/2014
-
Cox, Lynne. ELIZABETH, QUEEN OF THE SEAS
Cox, Lynne. ELIZABETH, QUEEN OF THE SEAS New York : Schwartz & Wade Books, 2014 IL K-3, RL 4.2 ISBN 0375858881 This is the story of Elizabeth, a two ton elephant seal who lived in Christchurch, New Zealand. The people of the city loved seeing Elizabeth in the river or along the banks enjoying the sunshine. They knew not to go near her since she was a wild animal. Everything was great until Elizabeth discovered the road. She loved lying on the asphalt that was all warm from the sun. But cars also used the road and it was decided that the time had come for Elizabeth to join other elephant seals in the ocean. A boat towed her out and left her with a colony of seals. But Elizabeth was not happy.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Today's podcast 08/12/2014
-
Hale, Shannon. DANGEROUS New York : Bloomsbury, 2014 IL YA ISBN 1599901684 Maisie has always been homeschooled and has not had the opportunity to be around other children. She hears about an opportunity to attend Space Camp and she just has to apply. Of course she probably won't get in. How many one-armed astronauts are there? But she does get in and gets a full scholarship. Some of the kids make fun of her disability but she is really enjoying all that she is learning. When she gets the opportunity to actually go into space, it is a dream come true. Or is it the beginning of a nightmare?
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Today's podcast 08/10/2014
-
Giles, Gail. GIRLS LIKE US New York : Candlewick, 2014 IL YA ISBN 0763662674 Graduating from high school is a major event. It is life changing. For Quincy and Biddy, it is really a major step. Both girls are in the school's special education program. The girls both struggle with learning. Their teacher has arranged for them to move into their own apartment in the home of a older woman who needs some help around the house. Biddy is very excited but Quincy is not so sure about this. The girls don't really know each other and this may be a bad idea. Biddy is very upbeat and takes to the arrangement right away. She loves cleaning the house and puts all she has into making this all work. Quincy doesn't like people much and she is angry at the world. She will do her job at the local bakery but she refuses to think this is a good thing. Is there any way that these girls can bond?
Friday, August 08, 2014
Today's podcast 08/08/2014
-
Gigliotti, Jim. ANIMAL SPORTS New York : Raintree, 2012 IL 3-6, RL 4.1 ISBN 1410942163 Do you play baseball or basketball? Maybe you are in a different sport. Did you ever stop to think about animals who are in sports? There are many sports where animals are the ones who are the stars. Horses are involved in many sports. From racing to steeple chase to long haul races, learn about the sports involved. There is also information about dogs in sports and even elephants!
Thursday, August 07, 2014
Today's podcast 08/07/2014
-
Floca, Brian. LOCOMOTIVE New York : Atheneum Books of Young Readers, 2013 IL 3-6, RL 3.7 ISBN 1416994157 In the beginning of the 19th century, if you wanted to travel across the country, you needed to travel by foot or horse. It would take weeks and sometimes months to travel out west. In 1869, the first transcontinental railroad was opened and it shortened the time it took to travel. You could get on the train and in a few days, be in California. But what were the trains like? What was travel like on these trains? Get on board and find out.
Wednesday, August 06, 2014
Today's podcast 08/06/2014
-
Feeney, Tatyana. LITTLE FROG'S TADPOLE TROUBLE
Feeney, Tatyana. LITTLE FROG'S TADPOLE TROUBLE New York : Alfred A. Knopf , 2014 IL K-3 ISBN 038575373X Little Frog is an only child. And he likes it that way. Just Daddy Frog, Mommy Frog and him. When Mommy tells him that there will soon be 9 little tadpoles, Little Frog is not happy. With so many brothers and sisters to take care of, there will be no time left for him. What is he going to do?
Tuesday, August 05, 2014
Today's podcast 08/05/2014
-
Edwards, Michelle. MAX MAKES A CAKE
Edwards, Michelle. MAX MAKES A CAKE New York : Random House, 2014 IL K-3, RL 1.7 ISBN 0375971645 Max loves his baby sister Trudy but sometimes things don't go as planned. Max is old enough to do some things by himself and he is happy that during Passover he will be reciting the four questions for Passover in Hebrew and English for the seder. He practices while feeding Trudy and tells her all about Passover. But Max and his father have plans to make a special Passover birthday cake for Max's mother while Trudy is taking her nap. But Trudy just won't nap. What will Max do?
Monday, August 04, 2014
Today's podcast 08/04/2014
-
Dunn, Judy. THE LITTLE RABBIT New York : Random House, 2014 IL K-3, RL 3.7 ISBN 0385386044 When Sarah finds a rabbit in her Easter basket, it is love at first sight. Sarah loved playing with the rabbit in the grass. But she needed a name. What do you think of the name Buttercup?
Sunday, August 03, 2014
Today's podcast 08/03/2014
-
Dunn, Judy. THE LITTLE DUCK New York : Random House, 2014 IL K-3, RL 2.7 ISBN 0385385218 A young boy discovers an egg. What can it be? As the egg begins to crack, we find out that it is a little duck. Follow Henry the duck through his first few days of life as he explores his surroundings and makes some friends.
Saturday, August 02, 2014
Today's podcast 08/02/2014
-
Dicmas, Courtney. THE GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY
Dicmas, Courtney. THE GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLY New York : Child's Play, 2014 IL K-3 ISBN 9781846436406 Have you ever gone fishing? Have you heard stories about the big fish that no one can catch? Stella has grown up on tales of the Great Googly Moogly, the giant fish that no one can catch. But Stella is determined to be the one to catch it. She tries lots of different baits and spends days trying. Do you think she will be successful?
Friday, August 01, 2014
Today's podcast 08/01/2014
-
Farmer, Nancy. THE LORD OF OPIUM
Farmer, Nancy. THE LORD OF OPIUM New York : Antheneum Books for Young Readers, 2013 IL YA ISBN 1442482540 This is a long-awaited sequel to Farmer's 2002 novel, House of the Scorpion. In the first book, we met Matteo Alacran who was created to be an organ donor for the drug lord El Patron. Many powerful drug lords have had clones created to act as spare parts. El Patron had lived over 140 years by using these clones. But Matt was different. El Patron had not had his brain destroyed and had given him an education. But Matt escaped Opium and survived the purge of El Patron's empire. Now Matt has been declared a person and is the new El Patron. He is in charge of the entire drug empire and all that goes with it. But Matt has other ideas of what he wants his country to be. He wants to stop raising opium and start raising crops. He believes that the country can be self sustaining and not rely on the drug trade. There are many obstacles in his way.