The Man Who Walked Between the Towers by Mordicai Gerstein

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gerstein, Mordicai. 2007. THE MAN WHO WALKED BETWEEN THE TOWERS. Brookfield, CN: Roaring Book Press. ISBN 0761328688


2. PLOT SUMMARY
In 1974, a trapeze artist, Philippe Petit, strung a cable between the twin towers and performed for over an hour.

3. IMPRESSIONS
The illustrations are the centerpiece of this story. The writing is sparse and simple, but the images are sweeping and dramatic. The shading of the night scenes conveys that vividly. It is interesting how Gerstein kept moving the perspective from the on-lookers to Philippe himself. This gives the readers a chance to be not only part of the action but simultaneously viewing it. The fold-out of Philippe walking between the towers is majestic and scary and beautiful all at the same time. The point of view is a real knee-knocker!

In some ways, this is a difficult book to read. 2001 is a long time ago, especially for those who were not born at the time of the attacks on the twin towers. Good and bad are black and white issues for many of these children, so it may not be so difficult with the younger kids. Confusion about how and why and when needs to be addressed with those who are a bit older and may have heard about what happened on that day or have a relative somehow connected to this sad day.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: "Truly affecting is the book's final painting of the imagined imprint of the towers, now existing "in memory"-linked by Philippe and his high wire."
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Man-Who-Walked-Between-the-Towers/Mordicai-Gerstein/e/9780761317913

* Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "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."
http://reviews.schoollibraryjournal.com/bd.aspx?isbn=0761328688&pub=sl

The Report Card by Andrew Clements

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Clements, Andrew. 2004. THE REPORT CARD. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing. ISBN 0689845154



2. PLOT SUMMARY
Told from genius fifth grader Nora Rowley's viewpoint, this story delves into the issue of grades, testing, and student abilities. Frustrated by the labels placed on all types of students, Nora decides to throw her grades and effect change by showing that standardized testing is not a true analysis of a student's intellect or ability.

3. IMPRESSIONS
Marvelously witty, this book was a great read for me, as an adult! Andrew Clements really captures the angst of fifth grade life: not quite a teen, not a child, not sure of their place in life. So interesting to read about a girl who thinks beyond herself and holds her classmates in such high regard. We catch glimpses of this beyond the wedgies and that paper fortune game where you have to pick a number between 1 and 8.

Clements is such popular author with kids. He "gets" them. He speaks their language and talks not below or above, but at their level. This was the first Clements book I have ever read. It will not be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed the concept of this book, the characters, and the rhythm.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "This novel highlights the controversial issues of testing and grades from a child's point of view, but it also reveals the pressure that everyone, including teachers, administrators, and parents, feels. Clements's style, the large print, and the appealing cover illustration will easily capture the attention of even the most reluctant readers."
http://reviews.schoollibraryjournal.com/bd.aspx?isbn=0689845154&pub=sl

* Starred review in KIDSREAD: "For anyone who has ever received a low test score and said, "I thought I did better than that!" or "I'm smarter than that!" this is a book to check out. As he did with FRINDLE and THE SCHOOL STORY, Andrew Clements creates a perfect setting to raise the question of "What if?" and take it beyond simple answers while keeping the story believable. Kids are heroes, and everyone wins in the end."
http://www.kidsreads.com/reviews/0689845154.asp

Jackie and Me by Dan Gutman

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gutman, Dan. 2000. JACKIE & ME. New York, NY: HarperCollins. ISBN 0380800845

2. PLOT SUMMARY
13 year old Joe Stoshack has to write a report on an African American who's made an important contribution to society. Joe’s advantage in writing this report is that he is able to travel back in time just by holding a baseball card of a particular year. Joe decides to visit one of his heroes; Jackie Robinson. Joe gets a first-hand glimpse of the man who broke the color barrier in baseball and the struggles that accompany this landmark occasion.

3. IMPRESSIONS
Dan Gutman's writing flows so nicely. The action is fast-paced, with no long and drawn out commentaries. We see the events of the story through Joe's eyes and, as such, avoid the clutter that often accompanies an adult's mind. In fact, the book moves along so nicely that it ends way too soon. I was ready for more. I suppose that is a sign of an excellent read.

This book takes place in Brooklyn…the Brooklyn of today and the Brooklyn of fifty years ago as Joe travels back in time to meet and stay with Jackie in his apartment. Joe gets a job as the bat boy for the Brooklyn Dodgers…a team that was later moved to California… and enters Ebbits Field…a stadium that has since been torn down. He witnesses the game and bigotry first-hand as he helps Jackie realize his place in history. Through Joe’s eyes, the reader gets a rare glimpse into the 1947 World Series. Photographs are placed throughout that offer historical and factual shots.

One of the more interesting parts of the book is that Joe not only travels back in time, he is also transformed from a Polish American into an African American. Through this shocking change in appearance, Joe finds himself an object of racism, introducing some interesting perspectives on race in the mid-20th century. This is so much more than a book about baseball…it is a book about life! Read it. You’ll be glad you did.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Fans of America's favorite pastime will particularly appreciate the detail and descriptions of some great games, including the 1947 World Series. An interesting addendum puts the story into further historical context and explains some of the liberties the author took writing the book. Full of action, this title will spark history discussions and be a good choice for book reports and leisure reading."
http://reviews.schoollibraryjournal.com/bd.aspx?isbn=0380976854&pub=sl

* Starred review in EDUCATION WORLD: "Gutman's humor and vivid writing will appeal to girls as well as boys. And there are some wonderful surprises in store for readers. (Without giving away all the details, time-traveling Joe meets a member of his modern-day community when that person was a youngster his own age in 1947!) Jackie and Me would make a great chapter book to use as a classroom read aloud. Read a chapter a day, and you'll have students begging you to read more. When the reading is done, many students will run to the library eager to learn more about an American hero and his times."
http://www.education-world.com/a_books/books087.shtml

The Ghost's Grave by Peg Kehret

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kehret, Peg. 2005. THE GHOST'S GRAVE. New York, NY: Dutton Juvenile. ISBN 0525461620

2. PLOT SUMMARY
With his mom and step-father out of the country during the summer, 12 year old Josh is sent to his Aunt Ethel's where he struggles to adapt, meets a ghost, and eventually gets held up at gunpoint. This was a summer he hadn't bargained for!

3. IMPRESSIONS
Peg Kehret has a way of writing that captures the reader right from the beginning. The characters are memorable and the plot is swift. I found myself liking both Josh and his aunt immediately. We don't have to wait long for the action to intensify as Josh is shocked upon his arrival at Aunt Ethel's when she shoots a bat...in the kitchen...and it falls through the cabinets and gets stuck...and she leaves it there!!!! What an impression! And what a great way to get boys interested in the book. That hook will get just about any young reader.

We follow Josh as he meets Willie, a ghost from 100 years ago who has lost his leg and want to be buried with it. In this process, Josh digs up a grave and gets Willie's bones. But he also finds a box full of cash and subsequently gets involved in an unsolved theft.

The action really heats up the last third of the book. I was turning the pages so fast to find out what happened that I skimmed the last few chapters just so I could get to the climax. I went back and read more thoroughly, but I just had to see how it all ended. Doing this as an adult reader, I can only imagine what a youth would do!

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in CHILDREN'S LITERATURE: "Josh is an intelligent young man but is he clever enough to escape a conflict with an armed and angry intruder? This book is very enjoyable. It is well written, fast-paced, and hard to put down; all of the attributes that many young people seek when selecting reading material."
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Ghosts-Grave/Peg-Kehret/e/9780142408193

* Starred review in KIDSREAD: "Josh feared his summer would be one big bore, but you'll be anything but bored as you turn the pages of this thrilling book.."
http://www.kidsreads.com/reviews/0525461620.asp

Bone Volume 2:The Great Cow Race by Jeff Smith

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Smith, Jeff. 2005. BONE VOLUME 2:THE GREAT COW RACE. New York, NY: Scholastic. ISBN 0439706246

2. PLOT SUMMARY
The Bone cousins are at it again in this second book in the "Bone" series. Phoney Bone tries to fix a cow race with Fone coming to the rescue. The battle of good versus evil resonates throughout as well.

3. IMPRESSIONS
This is my second attempt at trying to become a Bone aficionado. I kept waiting for this book to get better, but I just never got into it. I found the plot lacking and thin and I could not quite grasp the concept. Certainly this may be due to the fact that this is written for a different audience and I accept that. Young adults love graphic novels and this book seems to resonate with that age group. It was good for me to read this to see what the YA audience is reading. However, after trying several times to figure out what all the fuss is about, I give up. This will be the last "Bone" book I will read.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in KLIATT: "The race itself is a riot (literally)....Bone is characterized by fine artwork; crisp, compelling storylines; and funny, yet surprisingly complex, characters. Jeff Smith's art reminds me of Walt Kelly's Pogo, and his world is populated by strange and wonderful creatures."
http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?isbn=9780439706391&atch=h&ymal=pp

* Starred review in FORBIDDEN PLANET: "While it's hard to upstage the hilarity and operatic chaos of the cow race, one of the really special moments of this book is from the first chapter when Fone Bone tries to outdo a beautiful country boy in a battle for Thorn's attention. Bone: The Great Cow Race is funny, joyful, and bittersweet in a way that only the immensely talented Jeff Smith can deliver."
http://forbiddenplanet.com/products/8025/Bone_Volume_2_The_Great_Cow_Race/Humor/Graphic_Novel/Bone/Product.html

Stink and the Incredible Super Galactic Jawbreaker by Megan McDonald

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
McDonald, Megan. 2006. STINK AND THE INCREDIBLE SUPER GALACTIC JAWBREAKER. Ill. Peter Reynolds. New York, NY:Candlewick. ISBN 0763621587



2. PLOT SUMMARY
Stink writes a letter to a jawbreaker company, complaining that the jawbreaker does not live up to its name. In turn, he receives 21,280 free jawbreakers! But in his excitement, he overlooks an invitation from his best friend Webster. Trouble ensues!

3. IMPRESSIONS
Ah! The pen is mightier than the sword! I thought a lot about my nephew when he was 7. His mind was always working and trying to figure a way to get around...or through...or over. Yet Stink has the approach that, taken step by step, actually makes logical sense!

I loved the way McDonald dealt with all of the highs and lows and insecurities and bravado of an elementary boy. One can see all of this in a single, 40 minute, class period. We've been privy to Judy Moody and all of her angst. Her brother Stink makes an excellent foil.

The title alone is enough to capture readers, and reluctant ones at that. The book is at a good grade level and has large letters...important for boys who attempt to read fiction! There are also several editions of "Idiom Comics" (authored by Stink) that break up the words and adds even more humor. I've known many a boy to author their own comic strips, so this just adds to how well McDonald knows her audience. And what a great way to introduce the concept of idioms!

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in KIDSREAD: "STINK AND THE INCREDIBLE SUPER-GALACTIC JAWBREAKER is a chapter book that young kids can really sink their teeth into. As an added bonus, the author has scattered idioms throughout the book. And at the end of the story is a list of idioms that the reader can hunt for."
http://www.kidsreads.com/reviews/0763621587.asp

* Starred review in KIRKUS REVIEWS: "This story would be plenty for new readers, but McDonald adds a grammar lesson that runs thinner than pond ice in April-Mrs. D is teaching about idioms and Stink can't stop speaking in them, 37 idiomatic phrases altogether. Reynolds's familiar illustrations keep the mood light, even when Judy and Stink argue, which they do. Constantly."
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Stink-and-The-Incredible-Super-Galactic-Jawbreaker/Megan-McDonald/e/9780763632366

Double Fudge by Judy Blume

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Blume, Judy. 2003. DOUBLE FUDGE. New York, NY:Puffin. ISBN 0142501115


2. PLOT SUMMARY
Fudge is back. The high jinks of five-year old Fudge and his 7th grade brother continue in this third book in the series which features a fascination with money and a meeting of cousins in Hawaii.

3. IMPRESSIONS
I really hate to say this, but I got bored with this book fairly early on and had to force myself to finish it. I love Judy Blume and her writing...I've been reading her for 30 years! But this book seemed to lack the depth that her other books possess.

That being said, my opinion really doesn't matter, as the kids in the elementary school in which I work just LOVE Fudge! Third grade teachers start reading Judy Blume to the kids in the early part of the year and I have my shelves vacant after that. So, as long as they like them and they are reading, my personal taste has no real merit. I love that they read, no matter what it is. But the kids can totally relate to the characters, especially the interchange between siblings, so good on them.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
* Starred review in CHILDREN'S BOOKPAGE: "In Double Fudge, Judy Blume shows her extraordinary ability to create timeless and appealing characters and humorous family situations."
http://www.bookpage.com/0210bp/childrens/double_fudge.html

* Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "A worthy successor to Superfudge (1980) and Fudge-a-Mania (1990, both Dutton). Peter is a real 12-year-old with all the insecurities and concerns of that age. And nothing can suppress the personality of Fudge, who even renames Washington, Fudgington."

http://reviews.schoollibraryjournal.com/bd.aspx?isbn=0525469265&pub=sl