Grandfather's Journey

Review of Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say; text: edited by Walter Lorraine From Publishers Weekly

Say transcends the achievements of his Tree of Cranes and A River Dream with this breathtaking picture book, at once a very personal tribute to his grandfather and a distillation of universally shared emotions. Elegantly honed text accompanies large, formally composed paintings to convey Say's family history; the sepia tones and delicately faded colors of the art suggest a much-cherished and carefully preserved family album. A portrait of Say's grandfather opens the book, showing him in traditional Japanese dress, "a young man when he left his home in Japan and went to see the world." Crossing the Pacific on a steamship, he arrives in North America and explores the land by train, by riverboat and on foot. One especially arresting, light-washed painting presents Grandfather in shirtsleeves, vest and tie, holding his suit jacket under his arm as he gazes over a prairie: "The endless farm fields reminded him of the ocean he had crossed." Grandfather discovers that "the more he traveled, the more he longed to see new places," but he nevertheless returns home to marry his childhood sweetheart. He brings her to California, where their daughter is born, but her youth reminds him inexorably of his own, and when she is nearly grown, he takes the family back to Japan. The restlessness endures: the daughter cannot be at home in a Japanese village; he himself cannot forget California. Although war shatters Grandfather's hopes to revisit his second land, years later Say repeats the journey: "I came to love the land my grandfather had loved, and I stayed on and on until I had a daughter of my own." The internal struggle of his grandfather also continues within Say, who writes that he, too, misses the places of his childhood and periodically returns to them. The tranquility of the art and the powerfully controlled prose underscore the profundity of Say's themes, investing the final line with an abiding, aching pathos: "The funny thing is, the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other." Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

I enjoyed the simplicity of this book. It expresses so clearly the feeling of missing one place, while having a deep love for the place you are. The illustrations were also simple, giving you the feeling of looking at a personal scrapbook.

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback (Viking) From Publishers Weekly

As in his Caldecott Honor book, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, Taback's inventive use of die-cut pages shows off his signature artwork, here newly created for his 1977 adaptation of a Yiddish folk song. This diverting, sequential story unravels as swiftly as the threads of Joseph's well-loved, patch-covered plaid coat. A flip of the page allows children to peek through to subsequent spreads as Joseph's tailoring produces items of decreasing size. The author puts a droll spin on his narrative when Joseph loses the last remnant of the coat a button and decides to make a book about it. "Which shows... you can always make something out of nothing," writes Taback, who wryly slips himself into his story by depicting Joseph creating a dummy for the book that readers are holding. Still, it's the bustling mixed-media artwork, highlighted by the strategically placed die-cuts, that steals the show. Taback works into his folk art a menagerie of wide-eyed animals witnessing the overcoat's transformation, miniature photographs superimposed on paintings and some clever asides reproduced in small print (a wall hanging declares, "Better to have an ugly patch than a beautiful hole"; a newspaper headline announces, "Fiddler on Roof Falls off Roof"). With its effective repetition and an abundance of visual humor, this is tailor-made for reading aloud. All ages. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

I liked the book version of this book, but the version on Bookflix through Scholastic was so entertaining! The background music was very fitting for the era and culture of which this book took place. It also added other sound effects that made the book come alive. In either form, this book is sure to capture the young audience and keep them guessing what the coat will become next!

So You Want to Be President?

Review of So You Want to Be President? Ill. by David Small; by Judith St. George From Publishers Weekly

This lighthearted, often humorous roundup of anecdotes and trivia is cast as a handbook of helpful hints to aspiring presidential candidates. St. George (Sacagawea; Crazy Horse) points out that it might boost your odds of being elected if your name is James (the moniker of six former presidents) or if your place of birth was a humble dwelling ("You probably weren't born in a log cabin. That's too bad. People are crazy about log-cabin Presidents. They elected eight"). She serves up diverse, occasionally tongue-in-cheek tidbits and spices the narrative with colorful quotes from her subjects. For instance, she notes that "Warren Harding was a handsome man, but he was one of our worst Presidents" due to his corrupt administration, and backs it up with one of his own quotes, "I am not fit for this office and never should have been here." Meanwhile, Small (The Gardener) shows Harding crowned king of a "Presidential Beauty Contest"; all the other presidents applaud him (except for a grimacing Nixon). The comical, caricatured artwork emphasizes some of the presidents' best known qualities and amplifies the playful tone of the text. For an illustration of family histories, Small depicts eight diminutive siblings crawling over a patient young George Washington; for another featuring pre-presidential occupations, Harry Truman stands at the cash register of his men's shop while Andrew Johnson (a former tailor) makes alterations on movie star Ronald Reagan's suit. The many clever, quirky asides may well send readers off on a presidential fact-finding mission and spark many a discussion of additional anecdotes. A clever and engrossing approach to the men who have led America. Ages 7-up. (Aug.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Though this is a great book and has many fun and eccentric facts about presidents, it was published in 2000 and only spans through President Clinton. On page 43 it states, "No person of color has been president" as well as stating a woman ran for vice president. Both are obviously not facts any longer after the election of 2008. The glossary of presidents in the back of the book is also off a bit due to time continuing. As a librarian I would still have this book in the library, but would caution the children as to the date of publication.

The Three Pigs

A Review of The Three Pigs by David Wiesner From Publishers Weekly

Even the book's younger readers will understand the distinctive visual code. As the pigs enter the confines of a storybook page, they conform to that book's illustrative style, appearing as nursery-rhyme friezes or comic-book line drawings. When the pigs emerge from the storybook pages into the meta-landscape, they appear photographically clear and crisp, with shadows and three dimensions. Wiesner's (Tuesday) brilliant use of white space and perspective (as the pigs fly to the upper right-hand corner of a spread on their makeshift plane, or as one pig's snout dominates a full page) evokes a feeling that the characters can navigate endless possibilities--and that the range of story itself is limitless. Ages 5-up.

I have to admit this story was not one of my favorites. It seems like a traditional story, but then the animals randomly jump out of the page. They then meander through various stories until they decide to go home and take a dragon with them. Huh? I didn't really get the appeal. The illustrations saved the book for me, with the jump from 2D to 3D type drawings it gave the pages depth. After the third or fourth read to various students and kids, it started to grow on me more. The kids sure seemed to like it more than I did. The boys were especially fond of the story and found it hilarious! It would be a must have because it was an award winner, but I personally didn't care for it.

My Friend Rabbit

Review of My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann From Publishers Weekly

My friend Rabbit means well, begins the mouse narrator. But whatever he does, wherever he goes, trouble follows. Once Rabbit pitches Mouse's airplane into a tree, Rohmann tells most of the story through bold, expressive relief prints, a dramatic departure for the illustrator of The Cinder-Eyed Cats and other more painterly works. Rabbit might be a little too impulsive, but he has big ideas and plenty of energy. Rohmann pictures the pint-size, long-eared fellow recruiting an elephant, a rhinoceros and other large animals, and coaching them to stand one on top of another, like living building blocks, in order to retrieve Mouse's plane. Readers must tilt the book vertically to view the climactic spread: a tall, narrow portrait of a stack of very annoyed animals sitting on each other's backs as Rabbit holds Squirrel up toward the stuck airplane. The next spread anticipates trouble, as four duckling onlookers scurry frantically; the following scene shows the living ladder upended, with lots of flying feathers and scrabbling limbs. Somehow, in the tumult, the airplane comes free, and Mouse, aloft again, forgives his friend... even as the closing spread implies more trouble to follow. This gentle lesson in patience and loyalty, balanced on the back of a hilarious set of illustrations, will leave young readers clamoring for repeat readings. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

I think we all have our own version of Rabbit. You know that friend or family member that always seems to be causing trouble. They don't mean to, but they do. While reading this story I couldn't help but think of my brother Ben. Each page made me laugh a little harder as Rabbit Stacked the animals to try to reach the plane. It was a totally Ben thing to do! Looking to my future it is probably my Lydia who is turning into a "Rabbit" herself. The fantastic story told almost entirely through pictures is a must have for any little one of whom trouble follows!

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

Review of The Man Who Walked Between the Towers From School Library Journal

As this story opens, French funambulist Philippe Petit is dancing across a tightrope tied between two trees to the delight of the passersby in Lower Manhattan. Gerstein places him in the middle of a balancing act, framed by the two unfinished World Trade Center towers when the idea hits: "He looked not at the towers, but at the space between them and thought, what a wonderful place to stretch a rope-." On August 7, 1974, Petit and three friends, posing as construction workers, began their evening ascent from the elevators to the remaining stairs with a 440-pound cable and equipment, prepared to carry out their clever but dangerous scheme to secure the wire. The pacing of the narrative is as masterful as the placement and quality of the oil-and-ink paintings. The interplay of a single sentence or view with a sequence of thoughts or panels builds to a riveting climax. A small, framed close-up of Petit's foot on the wire yields to two three-page foldouts of the walk. One captures his progress from above, the other from the perspective of a pedestrian. The vertiginous views paint the New York skyline in twinkling starlight and at breathtaking sunrise. Gerstein captures his subject's incredible determination, profound skill, and sheer joy. The final scene depicts transparent, cloud-filled skyscrapers, a man in their midst. With its graceful majesty and mythic overtones, this unique and uplifting book is at once a portrait of a larger-than-life individual and a memorial to the towers and the lives associated with them.
Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

I had never heard such a story and at first thought it must be a tall tale! By the end of the book I was shocked to know it was actually accomplished! For hour we "walked between towers" on tape lines in the basement. Days later the impact this book had was evident when my oldest walked a balance beam on the playground and shouted, "Look mom I am Philippe!" The story is only supported by the artwork! Each page has a different quality that adds depth to the story. In one the facial expression help to tell it. In other sit is the multiple perspectives from earth or sky that show how daring a feat this was! An amazing book to add to an elementary library collection!

Kitten's First Full Moon

A Review of Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes From School Library Journal

An irresistible offering from the multifaceted Henkes. The spare and suspense-filled story concerns a kitten that mistakes the moon for a bowl of milk. When she opens her mouth to lick the treat, she ends up with a bug on her tongue. Next, she launches herself into the air, paws reaching out for the object of her desire, only to tumble down the stairs, "bumping her nose and banging her ear and pinching her tail. Poor Kitten." Again and again, the feline's persistent attempts to reach her goal lead to pain, frustration, and exhaustion. Repetitive phrases introduce each sequence of desire, action, and consequence, until the animal's instincts lead her home to a satisfying resolution. Done in a charcoal and cream-colored palette, the understated illustrations feature thick black outlines, pleasing curves, and swiftly changing expressions that are full of nuance. The rhythmic text and delightful artwork ensure storytime success. Kids will surely applaud this cat's irrepressible spirit. Pair this tale with Frank Asch's classic Moongame (S & S, 1987) and Nancy Elizabeth Wallace's The Sun, the Moon and the Stars (Houghton, 2003) for nocturnal celebrations.-Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

This book is another that will be loved by the younger crowd, especially the pre-K kiddos. My 3 year old found this book most interesting 1. because it had animals, and 2. because the humor of the kitty thinking the moon was milk was her kind of humor! The story is simple to follow and kitten prevails in the end, getting a bowl of real milk. I am sure this one would be difficult to keep on the shelves in an elementary library.

The Hello, Goodbye Window

Review of The Hello, Goodbye Window Ill. by Chris Raschka, by Norton Juster From School Library Journal

The window in Nanna and Poppy's kitchen is no ordinary window–it is the place where love and magic happens. It's where the girl and her doting grandparents watch stars, play games, and, most importantly, say hello and goodbye. The first-person text is both simple and sophisticated, conjuring a perfectly child-centered world. Sentences such as "When I get tired I come in and take my nap and nothing happens until I get up" typify the girl's happy, imaginative world. While the language is bouncy and fun, it is the visual interpretation of this sweet story that sings. Using a bright rainbow palette of saturated color, Raschka's impressionistic, mixed-media illustrations portray a loving, mixed-race family. The artwork is at once lively and energetic, without crowding the story or the words on the page; the simple lines and squiggles of color suggest a child's own drawings, but this is the art of a masterful hand. Perfect for lap-sharing, this book will find favor with children and adults alike.–Angela J. Reynolds, Washington County Cooperative Library Services, Hillsboro, OR

This book takes on a special sentimental value with the sweet relationship between the granddaughter and grandparents. Not only did it bring back memories of my grandparents and how I loved to go to see them when I was young. It also accentuated the relationship my children have with their grandparents now. It points out how important the little things we share each day really are to children, down to every hello and goodbye. The softness of the illustrations helped to reinforce the books message and drew in the young listener. The book was a sweet story that should be told again and again.

Floatsam

A Review of Flotsam by David Wiesner from School Library Journal

A wave deposits an old-fashioned contraption at the feet of an inquisitive young beachcomber. Its a Melville underwater camera, and the excited boy quickly develops the film he finds inside. The photos are amazing: a windup fish, with intricate gears and screwed-on panels, appears in a school with its living counterparts; a fully inflated puffer, outfitted as a hot-air balloon, sails above the water; miniature green aliens kowtow to dour-faced sea horses; and more. The last print depicts a girl, holding a photo of a boy, and so on. As the images become smaller, the protagonist views them through his magnifying glass and then his microscope. The chain of children continues back through time, ending with a sepia image of a turn-of-the-20th-century boy waving from a beach. After photographing himself holding the print, the youngster tosses the camera back into the ocean, where it makes its way to its next recipient. This wordless books vivid watercolor paintings have a crisp realism that anchors the elements of fantasy. Shifting perspectives, from close-ups to landscape views, and a layout incorporating broad spreads and boxed sequences, add drama and motion to the storytelling and echo the photographic theme. Filled with inventive details and delightful twists, each snapshot is a tale waiting to be told. Pair this visual adventure with Wiesners other works, Chris Van Allsburgs titles, or Barbara Lehmans The Red Book (Houghton, 2004) for a mind-bending journey of imagination.–Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

This is another wordless book that is well deserving of the Caldecott award it has earned. The pictures are vivid and intriguing!. At first they seem "normal" then they take an unusual turn. It is fun to look at each picture and pick out what seems "not quite right". The concept of the book is a bit difficult to grasp for younger students (first grade or below), but the idea of the camera traveling over decades can be picked up by older student more easily. It would be a fantastic book to use to spark some creative writing. A must have for the elementary library.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Review of The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick from Amazon.com

Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery.

This book was so built up in my mind, I have to admit I was afraid it would not live up to expectations. Luckily my fears we unfounded! This was an amazing story with astounding art. I loved the way in some sections of the book it would show a story in itself, like a travel path of Hugo, yet in other portions it would show the same view of something just getting closer and more detailed. It added variety to the book and different perspectives to the reader.

The story I loved because it told the story in parts, yet the stories were interwoven. There was just enough mystery to keep you reading, but none of the outcomes were shocking. You couldn't help but be excited for Hugo in the end when he finally found a place to call home. Not only would I have this in an elementary or middle school library, I would think it a must for a high school library. Amazing book, cover to cover!

The House in the Night

Review of The House in the Night ill. by Beth Krommes, by Susan Marie Swanson From Booklist

A young girl is given a golden key to a house. “In the house / burns a light. / In that light / rests a bed. On that bed / waits a book.” And so continues this simple text, which describes sometimes fantastical pleasures as a bird from the book spirits the child through the starry sky to a wise-faced moon. The cumulative tale is a familiar picture-book conceit; the difference in success comes from the artwork. Here, the art is spectacular. Executed in scratchboard decorated in droplets of gold, Krommes’ illustrations expand on Swanson’s reassuring story (inspired by a nursery rhyme that begins, “This is the key of the kingdom”) to create a world as cozy inside the house as it is majestic outside. The two-page spread depicting rolling meadows beyond the home, dotted with trees, houses, barns, and road meeting the inky sky, is mesmerizing. The use of gold is especially effective, coloring the stars and a knowing moon, all surrounded with black-and-white halos. A beautiful piece of bookmaking that will delight both parents and children. Preschool-Kindergarten. --Ilene Cooper

I wanted to take the illustrations in this book and frame them for the wall. Each page was so visually appealing, it drew you in. The simplicity of the illustrations coupled with the simplicity of the words, made the book a joy for a bedtime story. The attention to detail was especially appreciated when my oldest looked for markings in the first house in the beginning so she could find it in the town at the end of the book. It is a must have once again for the elementary library and may even be able to be used with older students because of the style of the illustrations being so unique in children's literature.

The Lion and the Mouse

Review of The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney From School Library Journal

This story starts on the cover with the glorious, golden countenance of a lion. No text is necessary to communicate the title: the direction of the beast's gaze and the conflicted expression on his tightly cropped face compel readers to turn the book over, where a mouse, almost filling the vertical space, glances back. The endpapers and artist's note place these creatures among the animal families of the African Serengeti. Each spread contributes something new in this nearly wordless narrative, including the title opening, on which the watchful rodent pauses, resting in one of the large footprints that marches across the gutter. In some scenes, Pinkney's luminous art, rendered in watercolor and colored pencil, suggests a natural harmony, as when the cool blues of the sky are mirrored in the rocks and acacia tree. In other compositions, a cream-colored background focuses attention on the exquisitely detailed and nuanced forms of the two main characters. Varied perspectives and the judicious use of panels create interest and indicate time. Sounds are used sparingly and purposefully—an owl's hoot to hint at offstage danger or an anguished roar to alert the mouse of the lion's entrapment. Contrast this version with Pinkney's traditional treatment of the same story (complete with moral) in Aesop's Fables (North-South, 2000). The ambiguity that results from the lack of words in this version allows for a slower, subtle, and ultimately more satisfying read. Moments of humor and affection complement the drama. A classic tale from a consummate artist.—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library

This book was an almost wordless book. My younger daughters needed some explaining so they would understand what was happening. My oldest daughter realized it was a fable she had read at school and was happy to offer her expertise! The illustrations were beautiful and it was obvious why this book won a Caldecott award. The pages almost seemed real, as if the animals could jump out of the pages. This book is another must have for the library, not only because it won an award, but because it would be well loved by students and teachers alike!

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

Amazon.com Review of A Sick Day for Amos McGee illustrated by Erin E. Stead by Philip C. Stead

THE BEST SICK DAY EVER and the animals in the zoo feature in this striking picture book debut.

Friends come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. In Amos McGee’s case, all sorts of species, too! Every day he spends a little bit of time with each of his friends at the zoo, running races with the tortoise, keeping the shy penguin company, and even reading bedtime stories to the owl. But when Amos is too sick to make it to the zoo, his animal friends decide it’s time they returned the favor.

This was a sweet story that held the interest of all 3 girls (3, 4, and 7 years old). Amos seems as if he could be grandpa sitting right next to you with his gentle demeanor and kind heart. It is as if he is the grandfather to the animals at the zoo. The humor of the animals catching the bus and having an overnight at Amos' home was well received by the young readers! This is a darling book for the early elementary library.

Week 9: Caldecott Winners

Week 9: March 23-29

Caldecott Winners

http://www.ala.org

1. 2011: A Sick Day for Amos McGee illustrated by Erin E. Stead by Philip C. Stead
2. 2010: The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
3. 2009: The House in the Night ill. by Beth Krommes, by Susan Marie Swanson
4. 2008: The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
5. 2007: Flotsam by David Wiesner
6. 2006: The Hello, Goodbye Window Ill. by Chris Raschka, by Norton Juster
7. 2005: Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes
8. 2004: The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein
9. 2003: My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann
10. 2002: The Three Pigs by David Wiesner
11. 2001: So You Want to Be President? Ill. by David Small; by Judith St. George
12. 2000: Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback (Viking)
13. 1999: Snowflake Bentley, Ill. by Mary Azarian; by Jacqueline Briggs Martin ·
14. 1998: Rapunzel by Paul O. Zelinsky
15. 1997: Golem by David Wisniewski
16. 1996: Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann
17. 1995: Smoky Night , illustrated by David Diaz; text: Eve Bunting
18. 1994: Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say; text: edited by Walter Lorraine
19. 1993: Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully
20. 1992: Tuesday by David Wiesner
21. 1991: Black and White by David Macaulay
22. 1990: Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China by Ed Young

Rationale:
These are always some of the most popular books checked out of my school library. They have their own shelves and the children are drawn to them. I wanted to look at them in a historical perspective and see if there are shared qualities through the years. I have also read many of them trough the years and thought it would be good to be reintroduced to them.

The Graveyard Book

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, illus. by Dave McKean Reviewed From School Library Journal:
Somewhere in contemporary Britain, "the man Jack" uses his razor-sharp knife to murder a family, but the youngest, a toddler, slips away. The boy ends up in a graveyard, where the ghostly inhabitants adopt him to keep him safe. Nobody Owens, so named because he "looks like nobody but himself," grows up among a multigenerational cast of characters from different historical periods that includes matronly Mistress Owens; ancient Roman Caius Pompeius; an opinionated young witch; a melodramatic hack poet; and Bod's beloved mentor and guardian, Silas, who is neither living nor dead and has secrets of his own. As he grows up, Bod has a series of adventures, both in and out of the graveyard, and the threat of the man Jack who continues to hunt for him is ever present. Bod's love for his graveyard family and vice versa provide the emotional center, amid suspense, spot-on humor, and delightful scene-setting. The child Bod's behavior is occasionally too precocious to be believed, and a series of puns on the name Jack render the villain a bit less frightening than he should be, though only momentarily. Aside from these small flaws, however, Gaiman has created a rich, surprising, and sometimes disturbing tale of dreams, ghouls, murderers, trickery, and family.—Megan Honig, New York Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

I listened to the audio book version of this with my husband. It was interesting to see how we heard the story differently. First, I spent he first few chapters explaining what was happening, who each character was, and if they were dead or alive. He tends to read more nonfiction and was confused by so many character and keeping track of how the interlocked through the story. Once he got that down, I think he liked the book even more than I did! We had 2 chapters left after a long car trip and he had to ask when we were going to read again so he could hear the ending! That says a lot coming from a guy who says he "doesn't like fiction".

It was a fantastic book. The characters were lovable and easy to connect to. You really wanted the best for Bod and to make sure he was protected. I loved the idea of being in a graveyard and being able to learn to do what they do, like "fading". It was also clever the way he wove character of different age level into the graveyard so Bod always had someone to befriend that was close to his current age. The plot was fantastic from the exciting beginning with a baby escaping a murder and being taken in by ghosts in a graveyard to the new beginning for Bod in the end. A must have for the middle or high school library.

When You Reach Me

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead a review From School Library Journal:
Miranda lives in 1978 New York City with her mother, and her life compass is Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. When she receives a series of enigmatic notes that claim to want to save her life, she comes to believe that they are from someone who knows the future. Miranda spends considerable time observing a raving vagrant who her mother calls the laughing man and trying to find the connection between the notes and her everyday life. Discerning readers will realize the ties between Miranda's mystery and L'Engle's plot, but will enjoy hints of fantasy and descriptions of middle school dynamics. Stead's novel is as much about character as story. Miranda's voice rings true with its faltering attempts at maturity and observation. The story builds slowly, emerging naturally from a sturdy premise. As Miranda reminisces, the time sequencing is somewhat challenging, but in an intriguing way. The setting is consistently strong. The stores and even the streets–in Miranda's neighborhood act as physical entities and impact the plot in tangible ways. This unusual, thought-provoking mystery will appeal to several types of readers.–Caitlin Augusta, The Darien Library, CT

I did not like this book at all. First, I did not attach to the characters. Miranda just seemed confused for most of the book and never really found herself, though she did solve the mystery. Marcus was a mystery the entire book then all of a sudden he is a time traveler, yet it never really says how. The story was too far fetched for me also and honestly a bit hum-drum and boring. It was also confusing with all of the references to A Wrinkle In Time, when I have never read that book. On a side note, I also listened to the audio book version and the reader's voice was NOT one I would have chosen for the book. She was very robotic with a monotone affect and she had a hoarse voice. It made this already dull book, even harder to get through. I don't understand how it became a Caldecott Award Winner. I really don't think that kids would connect with this story. I would put it in the library, but I may not recommend it often.

Moon Over Manifest

A review of Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool From School Library Journal
History and fiction marry beautifully in this lively debut novel. It's as if readers jump off the train in Manifest, KS, in 1936 with Abilene Tucker, 12, the feisty, likable, and perceptive narrator. She is there to live with Pastor Shady Howard, her father's friend, while her father works on the railroad back in Iowa. An equally important story set during World War I is artfully intertwined. Since her mother went off on her own 10 years earlier, Abilene and Gideon have been alone. Though their life together is unsettled, their bond is strong. Shady's place is shabby, but he is welcoming. The mystery about Manifest and Gideon unfolds after Abilene finds a box filled with intriguing keepsakes. It includes a letter dated 1917 to someone named Jinx from Ned Gillen that has a warning, “THE RATTLER is watching.” This starts Abilene, with the help of new friends Ruthanne and Lettie, on a search to learn the identity of the pair. The story cleverly shifts back and forth between the two eras. Abilene becomes connected to Miss Sadie, a “diviner” who slowly leads her through the story of Ned and Jinx. Though the girl is lonely, she adjusts to her new life, feeling sure that her father will come for her at summer's end. The Ku Klux Klan and its campaign against the many immigrants working in the coal mines and the deplorable conditions and exploitation of these men provide important background. This thoroughly enjoyable, unique page-turner is a definite winner.–Renee Steinberg, formerly at Fieldstone Middle School, Montvale, NJ

I really enjoyed this book, though did find it fairly predictable with a few surprises. I do wonder how much appeal it will have to younger readers. The history drew me in and had me rooting for the underdog. Storyline was easy to follow and the characters were believable. I think strong readers would like the book, but as with many historical fiction books, this one may not have full appeal to the readers of today.