Soft, colorful oil pastels welcome the reader to a sweet story about a wolf named Jack who lives alone, filling up his time with making jam and knitting warm scarves.  Jack meets Walter, a mouse.  (They both resemble cuddly plush toys.)  They become friends while spending time together…sharing the jam on toast, and playing in the snow.  The longer Walter stays, the more Jack discovers things about Walter that are annoying…like his loud snoring and the messes that he makes.   Does his need for a friend outweigh the downside of Walter’s personality?   Readers can identify with this dilemma, in finding and keeping their own friends.   Here is an unassuming book with gorgeous illustrations and  concise text…that deals with a universal theme that all of us have dealt with at some time or another.  Yes, everyone needs a friend, and guaranteed, they will come perfectly flawed.

Titanic has intermittent pages set up that asks the reader questions about the event. This book is informative from the creation of the Titanic and its physical description to its sinking, including locations of the ice field and the other ships in the area at the time. Large color photographs of the Titanic and recreations of the event, diagrams, time lines and graphs are found all throughout the book. Details allow the reader to understand the pieces of that evening and the order of their occurrence allowing the reader to make judgments of how the evening developed.   Eyewitness accounts from survivors well as photos of those who did not survive can be found throughout the book. Primary sources are a strength as well as the ability to download a digital book: True Survivors’ Stories.

This book is a basic account of Toucan facts. It includes information on the Toucans’ physical appearance, classification, habitat, and food sources. It includes a table of contents, glossary, index and learn more pages. Colorful photographs accompany each page spread.

This book is a basic account of eagle facts. It includes information on the eagles’ physical appearance, classification, habitat, food sources and development of their young . It includes a table of contents, glossary, index and learn more pages. Colorful photographs accompany each page spread.

This book is a basic account alligator facts. It includes information on the alligators’ physical appearance, classification, habitat, and food sources. It includes a table of contents, glossary, index and learn more pages. Colorful photographs accompany each page spread.

When 12 year old Olive Dunwoody goes trick-or-treating, Strangers come to see Olive, and they are very interested in her house with the portals to Elsewhere. Suddenly her parents go missing. Olive vows to get them back, but does not know who to trust. Her mission gets more dangerous as she encounters dark magic with the three talking cats. Olive courageously brings her parents back while learning even more about the stone house she loves on Linden Street.

Thirteen-year-old Mina Masako Tagawa is a Japanese-American girl who lived in Seattle with her family until the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Simply because Mina’s father is of Japanese descend, he is imprisoned. Mina is confused to see that Japanese Americans have become the enemy and are spat upon as well as viciously called “Jap.” Each family member reacts differently to their new life.  Her brother’s frustration and anger are the reasons he disappears for days somewhere in the confines of the camp. Eventually Mina’s father is released from prison and is sent to rejoin his family in Idaho. However, her family is further troubled when her brother decides to prove his patriotism by enlisting in the military. For three years the family is torn apart while kept captive in Idaho. This fictional account of an effect of WWII is written in verse and is a quick read.

Jinx, a high school girl, spends her time planning to use technology to investigate paranormal activity. When a girl Jinx dislikes asks for help with mysterious events in her family’s apartment, Jinx is extremely skeptical. But Jinx’s friend, Jackson, convinces Jinx that they should take the case. Jinx uses the equipment and her research to solve the mystery. This ghost story will grab reluctant readers with its intristing plot.

In this second book of the Ruined series,  Rebecca Brown returns to New Orleans to enjoy spring break with her father, best friend and boyfriend. However, a handsome, blue-eyed ghost named Frank appears to her, explaining his need to retrieve a locket from an old, abandoned house. Rebecca knows she has to help. Since Frank was supposed to have delivered the locket when he was murdered, he must complete the delivery soon or else be trapped in the ghost world forever. Unfortunately there’s another ghost, the very one who murdered Frank, plus her personal enemy, Toby Sutton, who continue to threaten her each step of the way. Rebecca outsmarts both of them, keeping her promise to Frank, and returning the locket to its rightful owner.

In the book, the locket contained a painting by the artist, Edgar Degas. According to history, Degas spent a some time in New Orleans in the same time period as Frank, the ghost. Paula Morris took the opportunity  to weave history into the book.

Crush It! plays to the interest of most little boys, ages six and seven, who are fascinated with cars and destruction.  The cover is colorful and shows a smashed up car and would draw any young child’s attention.  The text is appropriate and shows exactly what the pictures are telling them.  The very first picture shows old cars in a scrap yard–but the cars shown are from the 1950’s.  It makes me wonder how long ago the photos were taken and leads me to think that a more recent photo, taken on a sunny day rather than an overcast winter day, would show better.  The photos of various cars getting smashed is good and you can imagine hearing the noise, especially with the sound effects written in large colorful letters across the page.  Little boys will enjoy calling out the action.  The book seems a bit pricey for just 24 pages, which is why I gave it an Ad+.  I believe that a full 32 pages could have been used to show the processing plant and maybe some of the products made from these recycled cars.

Many people team up to locate, create an intricate plan of kidnap, and take a criminal responsible for numerous deaths to trial before the world. This detailed book is the true account of the mission of capturing Adolph Eichmann at a bus stop in Argentina and smuggling him to Israel. It involves a courageous network of people, many who lost family at camps, and a team of spies with patience and split second timing. Lengthy research, notes, and numerous primary sources strengthen this incredible book.

Freddie Ramos has his super speedy purple shoes… Zapato Power! However, he loses his shoes when he leaves them in his new white backpack and it turns up missing. Also, Freddie must figure what to do about a neighborhood bully as well as conquer his fears of swimming. Freddie realizes his backpack was picked up at the local pool, recovers his zapatos, and deals with the bully!

Lew and Gary must enter the Ravens Pass Middle School basement in search for, Lugnut, the school bully. While down there, they encounter a group of school zombies that threaten to eat their brains. Lew, Gary and Lugnut make attempts to find alternate exits while escaping the undead. After losing Lugnut in an effort to stay alive, Lew and Gary make their way out to safety. Finally safe, they reunite with Lugnut who happens to lose an ear lobe while they all talk, and then he runs off… Jason Strange controlled the vocabulary to keep the vocabulary at the second grade level. It is perfect for intensive intermediate readers.

I have known Franklin the Turtle by sight for years, but had never read (or seen on TV) any of his stories until now, as he came on the scene when my sons were in high school. My sons missed out on these six stories which all teach valuable life lessons without being preachy. Each story begins:  “Franklin can tie his shoes. Franklin can count by twos.” Followed by a quick preview of the story to come.

In Franklin and the Scooter, he learns buying something isn’t always the answer to getting what you want. Franklin was not able to earn the amount of money needed for the scooter he wanted. In the end, Franklin learns to share his bike with his friend and takes turns riding his friend’s scooter.

In Franklin and the Contest, Franklin has a hard time figuring out what he can do for 5 hours straight to win the contest for Gee Whiz magazine. The magazine contest promoter is able to see Franklin’s talent better than he can himself.

In Franklin and the Bubble Gum, Franklin innocently comes across a broken gum ball machine which dispenses all of the gum balls for his one penny. Franklin thinks it’s his lucky day and shares the gum balls with all of his friends. Later, Beaver announces the gum balls have been stolen. Then Franklin returns to the gum ball machine to pay for the gum balls. When Mr. Mole tries out the machine after refilling it with more gum balls, Franklin is allowed to keep all of the gum once again after he catches them in his hat. Mr. Mole thanks him for his honesty.

In Franklin and the Stopwatch, Franklin learns firsthand why his friends are tired of his timing them do everything, when they start timing his every move. Turn about is fair play- has a whole new meaning.

In Franklin and the Magic Show, after seeing a magician in a magic show, Franklin charges his friends 1 cookie to see his magic show. When his disappearing act does not work, his friends leave taking back their cookies. Later, Franklin’s father shows him some easy tricks. Franklin invites his friends to the show, but instead of charging a cookie, he gives each of them a cookie.

In Franklin and the Cookies, Franklin and Bear make a dozen cookies. First they eat half of the cookies and then the other half which they have been asked to share with their younger siblings. So they make 12 more cookies. They eat these, too. They make 12 more cookies. These they share. The third time is the charm.

This is a fun easy to follow recipe book.  The recipes sound yummy!  Many of the directions are simplified by using the microwave.  There are pictures for each step.  I liked this young cooks recipe book.  Nice addition to our cooking section.  Fun pictures, easy to follow numbered picture instructions, as well as written ones.  There are also helpful hint boxes in many pages.

A book explaining beast cancer in terms of a kingdom battle.  A good tool for kids who may be facing this with their mom or other family member.  The pictures are beautiful and colorful, and fun.  They simplify understanding cancer.  The font is clear and easily read.

This book is silly and unique.  The pictures are full of tiny funny details;  you could look at them for a long time.  The story line is rambling and crazy, full of silly poems and characters.

It is not run-of-the-mill.  I think kids would find it fun.

The font is like a hand written scrall.  Some of the notes in the story are in cursive, which is not easy for early readers to read.  I think kids will have fun reading/looking at this book.

This is a great science book for young children.  The pictures are large colorful simple paintings.  The information about the caterpillar is factual, but interesting.  There are scientific words that will be new to children, but they are explained both in words and pictures.  The end of the book has additional information that will help answer questions young readers may have, followed by an excellent glossary.

This book is a nice addition to our books on insects.