Archive for September, 2010

Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins

September 30, 2010 at 4:31 am · Filed under Ages 14 and Up ·Tagged , , , , , , ,

Bamboo People, by Mitali Perkins

Mitali Perkins has a knack for creating intricate, believable characters and has definitely done so in Bamboo People. The story of two boys, Chiko, a child forced into being a soldier for the Burmese government, and Tu Rei, a Karenni boy, whose people the Burmese are attempting to take over. The boys are set up by society to be enemies, but both possess personalities that ultimately draw them into a strange, yet touching friendship.

Not only will readers learn a lot about a culture they probably haven’t heard a whole lot about, as well as an ongoing problem with child soldiers in that region of the world, but they’ll also be entranced by the personal nature of both Chiko’s and Tu Rei’s stories. They’re written so realistically that one can’t help but put oneself in the position of these boys. It’s a terrifying concept to even think about, from either side of the war, and a true inspiration to spread the word about this subject.

I did find portions of the story to be a bit wordy, going on for longer than I would have liked, but I have absolutely no other complaints. I loved this latest piece by Mitali Perkins from cover to cover (and even quite literally the cover)! I am always amazed at how much she is able to educate, as well as entertain with her books.

A great choice to read aloud with your class for a unit on world conflict or something along those lines.

Bamboo People, by Mitali Perkins, Charlesbridge Publishing, $16.95, young adult.

Leave a Comment

The Things a Brother Knows by Dana Reinhardt

September 25, 2010 at 9:31 am · Filed under Ages 12 - 14 ·Tagged , , , , , ,

Amanda’s pick: The Things a Brother Knows by Dana Reinhardt
Levi has always looked up to his brother, Boaz, but when his elder brother joins the Marines and ends up fighting the war for three years, things between the brothers change. Levi realizes that things have changed even more than he imagined, when Boaz returns home from the war and proceeds to sit in his locked room, obsessively working on a mysterious project for hours on end and speaking to no one.
For the past three years, Levi had to deal with not only the absence of his brother, but also the concept of Boaz being a hero. Levi is tired of always being referred to as “Boaz’s brother” and has been forced to go through high school as just that. And now that Boaz is back and acting very much anti-hero, Levi isn’t really sure what his role as a brother is anymore.
When Boaz sets off a strange and secretive journey, Levi does what any little brother would do and follows him. The pair end up on an emotional walk where one learns more about the other than either imagined. Levi has never really known what to believe, in terms of whether the war is good or bad, whether he’s supposed to help his brother or leave him alone, but he knows he has to do something.
What an emotional rollercoaster with Dana Reinhardt’s latest book! Levi is a melancholy boy, but with bits of hope mixed in with his worry for Boaz. There are certainly some funny moments with Levi’s friends, Zim and Pearl, making the heaviness of the subject matter bearable. The author managed to create these amazing characters and make their emotions and dialogue feel realistic, by taking the sadness and mental hardships of Boaz and Levi and infusing sarcasm and wit from caring friends.
The Things a Brother Knows by Dana Reinhardt, Wendy Lamb Books, Ages 12 and up

Leave a Comment

Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel

September 16, 2010 at 11:45 am · Filed under Ages 12 - 14 ·Tagged , , , , , ,

Amanda’s Pick: Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel

Thirteen-year-old Ben Tomlin has been raised the only child of two scientists, each very dedicated to the world of science and progress. When his parents decide to bring home a newborn chimpanzee to attempt to teach him language, Ben is totally skeptical and unsure of how his life will be changed by an animal living in his house.

Zan integrates into the family much more easily than anyone expected and his language skills grow at an incredible rate. Ben is surprised at how attached he has become to his “little brother” in such a short period of time and spends lots of time with Zan, in between chasing girls, trying to make new friends, and trying to be a typical teenage boy.

Part coming-of-age story, part animal-interest story, Half Brother is an excellent read in terms of plot and character development. Ben is written in such a realistic manner that you’ll become his friend, as well as his cheerleader. He has big ideas for a thirteen-year-old and his determination and heart definitely shine.

Humor is intertwined with the seriousness of the subject manner and you’ll definitely want a tissue or two handy!

Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel; Scholastic Press; 2010; $17.99; 12 and up

Leave a Comment

Diary of a Baby Wombat

September 14, 2010 at 4:06 pm · Filed under Ages 3 - 6 ·Tagged , , , , , , ,

In Diary of a Wombat, we saw a wombat going about her day.  Diary of a Baby Wombat tells the story of her baby. In this book, Baby Wombat has taken a leaf out of his mother’s book (though not the kind he’d prefer to eat) and has decided to start his own diary — and what an interesting one it becomes! Mostly, Baby Wombat sleeps, but then he notices something, a brand new smell that leads to someone new to play with! A baby! Baby Wombat and the baby play together, eat, and sleep. The baby even gives Baby Wombat the idea for a new hole, a bigger one big enough for Mommy Wombat and Baby Wombat.

This book is perfect for ages 2 and up. The story is not difficult to follow and contains short sentences on each page. It would be nice as a new baby book or a birthday book. The best part is, you don’t have to be familiar with the first book to enjoy the second.

Hooray for Books! and Happy Reading! -Maryam

Diary of a Baby Wombat by Jackie French; illustrated by Bruce Whatley; Clarion Books, hardcover; $16.99

Leave a Comment

Doug-Dennis and the Flyaway Fib Author Visit

September 5, 2010 at 2:00 am · Filed under Ages 3 - 6

Author Darren Farrell was in our store September 5, 2010 reading from his premiere picture book, Doug-Dennis and the Flyaway Fib. Doug-Dennis, a sheep, tells a fib to his friend Ben-Bobby. It starts out small, but soon gets to be soooo big that the fib carries Doug-Dennis high up into the sky. How will Doug-Dennis get back to the ground and his friend?

Many folks entered their own fibs into our flyaway fib contest, such as ”Snicker Doodles? I think daddy ate them.” and ”I didn’t touch your piggy bank. The dog flew up there and knocked it down.”  Darren Farrell enjoyed all the fibs he read and chose to illustrate a handful of them which will be displayed in our store. Come in and see them.

Check back on our website soon for photos of Darren, the fibs and some video clips and check out, Darren Farrell’s website, too. It’s awesome and will make your IQ go up 37 points each time you read it (according to Doug-Dennis).

Leave a Comment

Brontorina

September 1, 2010 at 2:29 pm · Filed under Ages 3 - 6 ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Rebecca’s Pick: Brontorina by James Howe

All Brontorina Apatosaurus wants to do is dance ballet. The problem is, she is an enormous dinosaur! When Madame Lucille lets her participate in a class, poor Brontorina realizes she is too large to dance in the studio. Her tail flies everywhere and she comes dangerously close to squashing the piano! Not to mention the trouble she has finding ballet slippers! Will the darling dino be able to achieve her dream? Don’t miss this opportunity to see a dinosaur do an arabesque!

Brontorina, by James Howe, Candlewick Press, Ages 3-6

Leave a Comment

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 845 other followers