Keith Kelly
The effects of war have made an impact on Ajani and his family when his dad was killed in action. The repercussions seem to be insurmountable for Ajani, both at home and at school. Ajani developed a problem with anger that created a rift between him and his friends. Then a new student in Ajani’s school seemed to be getting along better with his friends than Ajani did. While Ajani tried to deal with his grief, his anger consumed all of his relationships … family, friends, and school. Through a series of unfortunate events, Ajani was given an opportunity to learn to deal with his grief. Finally, in an attempt to help Ajani manage his anger, his mother arranged an after school job for him. What should have been a positive example for Ajani, just created more tension, yet lead to a better life lesson in the end. Ajani not only finally found the peace he struggled for, but a richer life than he expected.
This is a wonderful story of redemption from tragedy and so timely given the status of our country’s armed forces. The illustrations provided by Mr. Kelly are colorful and dramatic adding the necessary touch.
BIBLIO: 2009, Carolina Wren Press, Ages 10-14, $9.95
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Fiction
ISBN: 978-0-932112-59-0
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 9/3/09
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Mia, Matt and the Turkey Chase
Annie Langlois
Illustrated by Jimmy Beaulieu
Matt and Mia live a double life with their Uncle Orlando, who is an animal trainer. During the school year the family lives in the city, and during the summer months, they live in a cottage on the shores of Blackfly Lake. This particular summer, Uncle Orlando is training poultry: ducks, a rooster, hens and their chicks, and one huge turkey!
“Flooooblooobloobloo, flooooblooobloobloo!” Alfred greets Matt and Mia. Matt thinks Alfred is a mutant.
Uncle Orlando says the turkey, Alfred, is going to star in a science-fiction film, and Matt and Mia’s job is to keep the chicken coop clean. Before too long, Alfred disappears and strange things start to happen. While looking for Alfred Matt and Mia meet a neighbor named, Maria. Uncle Orlando and Maria become friends and Matt and Mia think they start to see signs of Alfred around Maria’s house.
Flowers from Maria’s garden are picked, left on her porch, and no one seems to know how, the chickens in Uncle Orlando’s coop start acting very funny, Uncle Orlando’s pedal boat disappears, Alfred is seen wearing Uncle Orlando’s blue checkered shirt, and soon Alfred is seen escaping to the nearby island in the pedal boat.
This story is one big adventure, and it is all about love. How Alfred the turkey, Uncle Orlando the animal trainer, Matt and Mia, and Maria, work out the details of unrequited love. Written as a first novel, this publication meets the reading level of a first chapter book. It is an entertaining story and the black ink sketches are comical and supportive to the story.
BIBLIO: 2004, Formac Publishing Company Limited, Ages 5 to 7, $5.95
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: First Novels
ISBN: 978-0-88780-763-3
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 5/09
Illustrated by Jimmy Beaulieu
Matt and Mia live a double life with their Uncle Orlando, who is an animal trainer. During the school year the family lives in the city, and during the summer months, they live in a cottage on the shores of Blackfly Lake. This particular summer, Uncle Orlando is training poultry: ducks, a rooster, hens and their chicks, and one huge turkey!
“Flooooblooobloobloo, flooooblooobloobloo!” Alfred greets Matt and Mia. Matt thinks Alfred is a mutant.
Uncle Orlando says the turkey, Alfred, is going to star in a science-fiction film, and Matt and Mia’s job is to keep the chicken coop clean. Before too long, Alfred disappears and strange things start to happen. While looking for Alfred Matt and Mia meet a neighbor named, Maria. Uncle Orlando and Maria become friends and Matt and Mia think they start to see signs of Alfred around Maria’s house.
Flowers from Maria’s garden are picked, left on her porch, and no one seems to know how, the chickens in Uncle Orlando’s coop start acting very funny, Uncle Orlando’s pedal boat disappears, Alfred is seen wearing Uncle Orlando’s blue checkered shirt, and soon Alfred is seen escaping to the nearby island in the pedal boat.
This story is one big adventure, and it is all about love. How Alfred the turkey, Uncle Orlando the animal trainer, Matt and Mia, and Maria, work out the details of unrequited love. Written as a first novel, this publication meets the reading level of a first chapter book. It is an entertaining story and the black ink sketches are comical and supportive to the story.
BIBLIO: 2004, Formac Publishing Company Limited, Ages 5 to 7, $5.95
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: First Novels
ISBN: 978-0-88780-763-3
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 5/09
Bullies Never Win
Margery Cuyler
Illustrations by Arthur Howard
In first grade, Jessica faced a lesson that had nothing to do with getting her homework done, or even getting it turned in on time. Jessica's biggest problem was Brenda Bailey. Every day Jessica went to school, Brenda found ways to bully her. From the clothes Jessica wore, to the way she played kickball, even to the homework Jessica turned in.
If that was not enough for Jessica, she also worried about other things. For example, Jessica worried if her socks matched, if she could find her barrettes, and even worried about her knobby knees. For a first grader, Jessica had a lot to worry about.
Her teacher, Mr. Martin, had advised his class to "just ignore" the bullies. But Jessica didn't think she could do that. So, after telling her mom about the problem with Brenda, Jessica came up with a plan.
The next day, when Brenda began her bulling ways, Jessica put her plan into action. Brenda was stunned, embarrassed, and finally quiet.
Can you imagine what Jessica's plan was? Could your child learn from Jessica? If your child has been bullied, or knows a child who is being bullied, the strategy Jessica used just may be helpful. This is a book that should be kept in all elementary classes, and read out-loud regularly. Empowering children starts early, and Jessica's story and her solution are about empowering children.
The colorful illustrations are humorous and on target for the elementary grades. If given the opportunity, children in grades 1st through 4th will enjoy picking this book up and reading it by themselves.
BIBLIO: 2009, Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, Ages 5 to 9, $16.99
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-0-689-86187-1
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 5/09
Illustrations by Arthur Howard
In first grade, Jessica faced a lesson that had nothing to do with getting her homework done, or even getting it turned in on time. Jessica's biggest problem was Brenda Bailey. Every day Jessica went to school, Brenda found ways to bully her. From the clothes Jessica wore, to the way she played kickball, even to the homework Jessica turned in.
If that was not enough for Jessica, she also worried about other things. For example, Jessica worried if her socks matched, if she could find her barrettes, and even worried about her knobby knees. For a first grader, Jessica had a lot to worry about.
Her teacher, Mr. Martin, had advised his class to "just ignore" the bullies. But Jessica didn't think she could do that. So, after telling her mom about the problem with Brenda, Jessica came up with a plan.
The next day, when Brenda began her bulling ways, Jessica put her plan into action. Brenda was stunned, embarrassed, and finally quiet.
Can you imagine what Jessica's plan was? Could your child learn from Jessica? If your child has been bullied, or knows a child who is being bullied, the strategy Jessica used just may be helpful. This is a book that should be kept in all elementary classes, and read out-loud regularly. Empowering children starts early, and Jessica's story and her solution are about empowering children.
The colorful illustrations are humorous and on target for the elementary grades. If given the opportunity, children in grades 1st through 4th will enjoy picking this book up and reading it by themselves.
BIBLIO: 2009, Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers, Ages 5 to 9, $16.99
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-0-689-86187-1
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 5/09
Bee-Wigged
By Cece Bell
Jerry Bee was a bee, but not just any bee. He was the most enormous bee that anyone had seen and everyone was afraid of being stung. Jerry tried everything he could think of be friendly; when he said hello, people ran; when he answered the phone with his, “bzzzzzzzzzzzz”, people would know he was a bee; he even tried to give away free honey, and people were afraid of him.
Then one day, Jerry found a wig lying on a sidewalk. Just maybe that would be his answer. He put it on his head, and the first person to see the “new Jerry”, was a school bus driver. She wanted him to get to school immediately because he was late!
So far, Jerry’s new identity was working. At the school, Jerry was hoping to make new friends, and the first classroom he entered he met Miss Swann, the teacher. She and all the students just thought Jerry was wonderful – helpful, funny, artistic, generous, and even a great speller. Jerry was so happy at school, he decided to go every day.
Eventually, he was nominated for a great honor that could very well have become his demise. What a surprise for Jerry and his wig! Did all the friends he had made run away, or did everyone learn a lesson of friendship?
The colorful illustrations make the story of Jerry Bee and his new friends. Ages for this book would be better for lower elementary, as they need to learn early the lesson of diversity in friendship and being themselves.
BIBLIO: 2008, Candlewick Press, Ages 5 to 9, $16.99
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3614-2
REVIEWED FOR: Children's Literature, Online Version, 5-6-09
Jerry Bee was a bee, but not just any bee. He was the most enormous bee that anyone had seen and everyone was afraid of being stung. Jerry tried everything he could think of be friendly; when he said hello, people ran; when he answered the phone with his, “bzzzzzzzzzzzz”, people would know he was a bee; he even tried to give away free honey, and people were afraid of him.
Then one day, Jerry found a wig lying on a sidewalk. Just maybe that would be his answer. He put it on his head, and the first person to see the “new Jerry”, was a school bus driver. She wanted him to get to school immediately because he was late!
So far, Jerry’s new identity was working. At the school, Jerry was hoping to make new friends, and the first classroom he entered he met Miss Swann, the teacher. She and all the students just thought Jerry was wonderful – helpful, funny, artistic, generous, and even a great speller. Jerry was so happy at school, he decided to go every day.
Eventually, he was nominated for a great honor that could very well have become his demise. What a surprise for Jerry and his wig! Did all the friends he had made run away, or did everyone learn a lesson of friendship?
The colorful illustrations make the story of Jerry Bee and his new friends. Ages for this book would be better for lower elementary, as they need to learn early the lesson of diversity in friendship and being themselves.
BIBLIO: 2008, Candlewick Press, Ages 5 to 9, $16.99
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3614-2
REVIEWED FOR: Children's Literature, Online Version, 5-6-09
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