Giff, Patricia Reilly. JUBILEE

Giff, Patricia Reilly. JUBILEE
New York : Wendy Lamb, 2016
IL 3-6, RL 3-6
ISBN 0385744862

Judith lives on a island with her Aunt Cora.  Her mother left her years ago and she has lived with Aunt Cora since.  Judith has not seen her mother since then and she has not spoken a single word since then.  The doctors say she has selective mutism.  This means that she is physically able to speak but not emotionally able to speak.  The kids make fun of her and she has no friends.  But maybe 5th grade will be better.  Maybe this is the year she'll make a friend. And discover more about herself.

Podcast:  https://spark.adobe.com/video/qKWgEXGttsSxE

Garner, Em. CONTAMINATED

Garner, Em.  CONTAMINATED
New York : Egmont USA, 2013
IL YA
ISBN 1606843540



Imagine a diet soda that helps you lose weight!  Of course it becomes popular.  Who doesn't want to enjoy a soda and also lose a few pounds?  The drink becomes so popular that the company can't keep up with the demand.  They cut a few corners to make the main ingredient. Unfortunately they discover too late that there are some side effects to the contaminated drink.  Well, side effects is a bit mild.  It turns perfectly normal people into raging, violent animals.  During the first wave, many of these affected people are killed.  But then the "connies" as they are called are able to be controlled by drugs and shock collars.  The public is encouraged to claim their relatives and take them home.  Velvet has been caring for her younger sister since her parents became "connies".  Her dad was killed but now she learns that her mother is still alive and available for placement.  People are still terribly afraid of the connies and don't want them around.  Can Velvet find the courage to take care of her mother? Will she and her sister be safe if she does?  

Podcast:  https://spark.adobe.com/video/26hLVWKY3mfJG

Dumont, Jean-Franciois. I AM A BEAR

Dumont, Jean-Franciois.  I AM A BEAR
Grand Rapids MI : Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2015.
IL K-3, RL 2.8
ISBN  0802854478
“I don’t know how I got here…All I know is that one morning I woke up here, on this street, and I haven’t left it since.” A bear is lost in the city.  He lives in cardboard boxes and his coat is old and patched.  No one wants to be his friend.  He has trouble finding food to eat or anyone to talk to.  When a little girl sits down beside him, she decides he looks like a teddy bear and begins to visit him every day.

Podcast: https://spark.adobe.com/video/AT8bZD2Y2ih2h 

Dylan, Bob. IF NOT FOR YOU

Dylan, Bob.  IF NOT FOR YOU
New York : Atneneum Books for Young Readers, 2016
IL K-3, RL 1.0
ISBN 1451648812

Back in 1970, musician Bob Dylan wrote a beautiful love song.  "If not for you // Babe, I couldn't find the door / Couldn't even see the floor / I'd be sad and blue / If not for you."  Now it is available to share as a beautiful picture book.  What are you thankful for from those you love?  What makes your life better?

Podcast: https://spark.adobe.com/video/HeveJOFe5DDS6

Ehrlich, Amy. WILLA : THE STORY OF WILLA CATHER, AN AMERICAN WRITER

Ehrlich, Amy.  WILLA : THE STORY OF WILLA CATHER, AN AMERICAN WRITER
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2016
IL 3-6, IL 5.6
ISBN 0689865732
American novelist Willa Cather was born in 1873 in Virginia.  Her family moved to Nebraska when she was young and she loved the wide prairie but soon decided she needed more in her life.  She went to college and wanted to be a doctor but opportunities took her on a different path.  She found work on a newspaper and then became an editor with a publisher in New York.  She loved living in New York but knew she wanted still more.  She found her calling as a writer and found that the prairie life of her childhood was what she loved writing about. 

Podcast:  https://spark.adobe.com/video/RnuKKuNG3PW7E 

Farish, Terry. LUIS PAINTS THE WORLD

Farish, Terry.  LUIS PAINTS THE WORLD
New York : Carolrhoda, 2016
IL K-3, RL 2.1
ISBN 1467757969
Luis is upset because his older brother is about to leave home to join the military.   He doesn't know why Nico would want to leave home.  Nico explains that he is off to see the world and will be home when he can.  Luis decides to paint a mural on the back wall so Nico can see the world without leaving home.  As Nico sends pictures home, Luis adds them to the mural.  Will he be able to paint the world for Nico?


Podcast:  https://spark.adobe.com/video/Yhh4gqU2m0gMC

Brisson, Pat. BENNY'S PENNIES

Brisson, Pat.  BENNY'S PENNIES
New York : Dell Dragoknfly, 1993
IL K-3, RL 1.8
ISBN  0440410169
Benny has five shinny new pennies.  He has plans to find what he wants to buy.  Everyone he talks to has a different idea of what he should spend his pennies on.  Should he listen to his mother, or his sister, or should he just buy something for himself? 

Podcast:  https://spark.adobe.com/video/925r8pQrrFofo

Brown, Marc Tolon. MONKEY : NOT READY FOR THE BABY

Brown, Marc Tolon.
MONKEY : NOT READY FOR THE BABY
New York : Knopf, 2016
IL K-3, RL 1.9
ISBN 1101933275
Monkey loves being the youngest child in the family.  So when he finds out that his mother is having another baby, he is none too happy.  What does it mean to be a big brother?  How will life change for him?


Podcast: https://spark.adobe.com/video/A1oUo6iFsbu7G

DePaola, Tomie. ANDY & SANDY'S ANYTHING ADVENTURE

DePaola, Tomie.
ANDY & SANDY'S ANYTHING ADVENTURE
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2016
IL K-3, RL 1.4
ISBN 1481441574

Andy invites Sandy to come over to play.  Should they play checkers?  Or maybe dinosaurs?  What about dress=up?  What will these two friends come up with?


Podcast:  https://spark.adobe.com/video/rkv2Zp1fx

DePaola, Tomie. WHEN ANDY MET SANDY

DePaola, Tomie.
WHEN ANDY MET SANDY
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2016
IL K-3, RL 1.4
ISBN 1481441551
When Andy and Sandy first meet on the playground, neither of them think that they could ever be friends.  Andy is quiet and shy while Sandy is very loud and outgoing.  But this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship!

Podcast: https://spark.adobe.com/video/Hke6pnyGx

Alexander, Lloyd. THE BOOK OF THREE

Alexander, Lloyd.  THE BOOK OF THREE
New York : Henry Holt,  2014
IL 5-8, RL 5.3
ISBN 1627791221

Taran is the Assistant Pig-Keeper but he dreams of becoming a hero.  When Hen Wen the pig runs away, he may just get his chance.  This is the first book in the classic series Chronicles of Prydain. Taran is sent to find Hen Wen and return her to Caer Dallben.  Hen Wen is an oracle and she needs to be consulted to find out what is happening with the animals.  As he is searching for Hen Wen, Taran meets none other than High Prince Gwydion, who is on his way to consult with Hen Wen for the same reason.   Together they set out with Gwydion’s horse Melyngar to find the pig.