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Despite having only 3 formal lessons, Hana has signed up to play violin at the school talent show. She’s slotted to play sixth, after more practiced and accomplished players.  Her brothers are apprehensive – can she play without embarrassing herself (or them)?  When it’s her turn to perform, her daily practice and persistence pay off in ways she – and her brothers – never imagined.

A story to celebrate dedication, hard work, and family.  NEW in 2014, and available in the library!
Recommended May 28, 2015.

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Before flying a kite during a lightning storm, Ben Franklin was a kid who loved to swim. He was also a kid who loved solving problems…like how to swim faster. After tinkering in his father’s workshop: “TA-DA! Swim fins!” But when Ben’s invention nearly caused him to sink, he didn’t feel ashamed or stupid; rather, he “simply thought he’d made a mistake – and would’t stop seeking, studying, and struggling until he SUCCEEDED.”

Historical fiction at its best (with annotations and source notes provided), this accessible, kid-friendly story showcases growth mindset and grit.  This is available our library.

Recommended May 13, 2015

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At first glance, Mark is like most kids: he's got a best friend, loves his dog, and enjoys the outdoors. But Mark's not like most kids - he's sick. Really sick. So sick that he decides to run away from his small WA town to go do the one thing he's always dreamed of: climb Mt. Rainier. Because he's afraid: if he doesn't go do it now, while he's feeling good, will he ever have the chance? With his dog by his side, Mark takes off leaving behind family and friends.  He only hopes he makes it to the mountain before they figure out where he is...or worse.

A hopeful, action-packed story of determination and friendship, Dan Gemeinhart's debut novel will build empathy and get kids talking. NEW in 2015.

Recommended May 6, 2015

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A 2 minute book trailer for the book. A recommended read for 4th and 5th graders!

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The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart (Book Trailer)

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Take a fascinating premise – a man actually sold the Eiffel Tower! – add a fully developed story/biography, include sidebars with just enough explanation of key events/places, and package it in a brilliantly designed and illustrated picture book.  Voila.  This is a compelling, engaging masterpiece waiting to be shared.  Tricky Vic is my new favorite nonfiction book!  NEW in 2015.

Recommended April 1, 2015

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Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena

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Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena

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The story of a young boy who take the bus each Sunday to volunteer at the local soup kitchen with his grandmother.

Diverse without being “diverse”, this is my current favorite picture book of 2015.

The book was featured on NPR’s Morning Edition a few weeks ago:http://mattdelapena.com/last-stop-on-morning-edition/

Also: the illustrator, Christian Robinson, is crazy-good.  Matt himself said Robinson is the rising star of kidlit!

Recommended March 4, 2015

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Ralph is like many kids we know: he has no ideas for a story and looks for ways to avoid the whole writing process. But when his neighbor shares her stories - many about HIM - Ralph realizes that it's the little things (like when an inchworm crawled on his knee) that make the best stories.

Ralph's first-person narrative is perfect for teaching voice and persistance. Engaging and honest, Ralph Tells a Story is a great read-aloud!

Recommended March 25, 2015

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Meet Dory: little sister, imaginary friend-owner, and question-asker.  She desperately wants to play with her siblings, who look at the six-year-old as a baby.  It is Dory’s endless questions that drive them to create Mrs. Gobble-Gracker, an imaginary evil lady who captures babyish kids. Not that Dory’s in danger.  She’s entirely too clever to be captured, with her imaginary friend, her fairy godmother, and her penchant for acting.

With black and white illustrations throughout, ample white space, and large font, this book has instant kid-appeal.  Dory is a fantastic entry-level chapter book with humor for boys, girls, and adults.

Recommended March 25, 2015

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“Great minds don’t think alike” - FIAT

Six schools in six years.  No problem: Ally’s figured out how to fool most of them.  She’s not great at reading or writing, but she can distract and deflect attention, coping with her struggles.  Until Mr. Daniels shows up and shows her that intelligence comes in many ways: after all, a fish is a great swimmer, but it would fail at a test to climb a tree.  Fans of Wonder will love this story.  Poignant and realistic, FIAT would be a GREAT read-aloud.

Book trailer HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVhWzVsVVIY

Recommended March 11, 2015

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We know how seeds grow: plant, water, tend, grow.  But what about kindness?  Can you plant and grow it, too?  Award-winning author/illustrator Nelson’s simple, spare text and luminous illustrations showcase how sharing is greaterthan selfishness.  Truly, it’s the smallest acts of kindness that have the biggest impact.  NEW IN 2015!

Recommended April 15, 2015

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Red's frustrated - everything he colors red turns out blue! Friends and family offer "helpful" suggestions to Red: work harder, apply yourself, partner with others, etc.  What happens when one crayon looks beyond the label and asks Red to color an ocean?  Can Red be successful?

A story that defies labels and highlights that it's what is on the inside that counts, Red is a winner.  Bonus: it's told from the point of view of a pencil! NEW in 2015!

Recommended March 18, 2015

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Firefly July: a year of very short poems

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Firefly July: a year of very short poems

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Spring and summer, fall and winter.  Each is represented in short poems from poets like Robert Frost to Langston Hughes.  Extremely kid-friendly and accessible, these poems are perfect invitations to talk about inference and mood in writing and make a perfect read-aloud (as does all poetry!).  The illustrations are just as magical and should not be missed.

Selected as a 2014 Book of the Year by six organizations and available in the library!  Perfect for National Poetry Month & Poem in Your Pocket Day.

Recommended April 23, 2015

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A wordless wonder.  What happens when a young girl sees
a bicycle in a store window, yet does not have enough money to buy it? She decides to earn it.  After working odd jobs for a nearby elderly neighbor – raking leaves, mowing grass, etc – she heads back to the shop to buy the bike.  But it’s not there.  Does she pout? Fuss? Sulk?
No.  She rises above these behaviors with a choice that shows true
selflessness and generosity.  In turn, she is repaid in ways she never
expected (and neither will you).  A wordless story, this is a standout for
a classroom discussion and lessons on grit.  (FYI: Wordless stories like
this one make excellent choices for lessons on inference.)

Recommended April 29, 2015