Heroes of the Surf

Dive! Dive!

Carbone, Elisa Lynn. Heroes of the Surf. New York : Viking, 2012.

Plot: Young Antonio, passenger of the steamship Pliny, enjoys playing throughout the boat with his friend Pedro. After a day of make-believe pirates, the boys settle in for the night. A storm brews and relentlessly drives the ship aground. Too far from any waterborne help, the ship's crew send out flares. Someone sees them. Actually, an entire group of people sees them. Thankfully, despite the boys' fears, they are not pirates. They are the Life-Saving Service, and they bring every soul to the safety of land before the ship sinks.

Genre: Historical Fiction, Picture Books

Reading Level: Grades 1-4

Similar Titles: Dreamstones, The Two Brothers

Personal Thoughts: The text is based on actual events. The Pliny did sink in 1882 off the coast of New Jersey, and every person on board was safely rescued by the Life-Saving Service. The men of the service provided safety and rescue procedures, while their wives and children provided clothing and food to the victims of the wreck. The Service no longer exists, though. It was absorbed by Revenue Cutter Guard and became the United States Coast Guard.  A short, but insightful, view of one of the Service's most remarkable rescues.

Captain Raptor and the Moon Mystery

 

It's just silly

O'Malley, Kevin. Captain Raptor and the Moon Mystery. New York : Walker Pub. Co., 2005.

Plot: A strange object crashes into Eon, a moon near Jurassica. Desperate for answers, the dinosaur inhabitants call on the great hero, Captain Raptor, to find the UFO and discover its intentions. He rapidly arms the Megatooth and its crew for the unexpected, which inevitably happens. The mission, however, ends with strangely familiar beings on the moon.


Genre: Science Fiction, Picture Books

Reading Level: Grades 1-4

Similar Titles: Oh no! Not Again!, If I Had a Raptor

Personal Thoughts: A story about space-faring dinosaurs is pretty original, but the illustrations and lettering make the title memorable. The text uses an Indiana Jones-like style to add dramatic flair. By contrast, the illustrations use a more traditional style, reminiscent of oil paintings. The combination results in a title similar to old science fiction movie posters. 

Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh

Silly old bear

Walker, Sally M. Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh. New York : Henry Holt and Company, 2015

Plot: Harry Colebourn, a veterinarian during World War I, found an orphaned black bear for sale during a train stop. He bought the bear, claiming she would be the mascot for the military training camp in Quebec. Winnipeg, eventually called Winnie, quickly endeared herself to the men on the camp. When they were called to the other side of the Atlantic, the cub went with them. However, due to the dangers of the war, Winnie was settled at the London Zoo. She remained friendly, often letting children feed or even ride her. One particular child could not stop talking about her, so his father began to write adventures about the little bear...

Genre: Animals, History, Picture Books

Reading Level: Grades 1-4

Similar Titles: Mr. Ferris and His Wheel, Winnie the Bear: The True Story Behind A. A. Milne's Famous Bear

Personal Thoughts: A short book on the real history of a fictional bear. The text uses illustrations to highlight the whimsey of the story, but provides photographs to remind readers of the actual events. Walker provides further information about Coleborn, Milne, and Winnie at the end of the story.

Officer Buckle and Gloria

Someone describes important concepts while a cute animal maintains attention.

Why does this sound familiar?

Rathmann, Peggy. Officer Buckle and Gloria. New York : Putnam's, 1995.

Plot: Officer Buckle comes to Napville School for a safety assembly. No one really pays attention, until Gloria comes. Gloria, a police dog, sits obediently on command, then playfully acts out each of Officer Buckle's safety tips while he faces the audience. The officer is shocked when people begin to listen. He becomes even more excited when he receives an entire envelope filled with thank-you notes, all featuring Gloria. He begins to offer more and more assemblies, shows, and meetings without seeing Gloria's act behind his back. Then he and Gloria are filmed, revealing the truth. Unsurprisingly, Officer Buckle is hurt, but he is not the only one...

Genre: Picture Books, Humor, Friendship, Animals

Reading Level: Pre-K through Grade 3

Similar Titles: Miss Fox's Class Gets it Wrong; Speak Up, Tommy!

Personal Thoughts: While the title is intended for a younger age group than tweens, it still offers a relevant lesson. Teens often feel the pressure to look for an identity, especially among their peers and community. Many seek it by participating in projects or events. It can be devastating when someone seems to get all the attention, even when the tween contributed a lot of effort. However, much like Officer Buckle, their work carries as much importance as their more flashy partners, even if they feel it does not. Even though they might not be the star of the project, they are still important, and that is a lesson everyone needs to know.

The title received the Caldecott Medal.

Side Note: A book with a dog and an award sticker on the cover, but the dog lives. The Apocalypse may very well be upon us.

Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting with the Great Whites of California's Farallon Islands

Save some for me!

Roy, Katherine. Neighborhood Sharks: Hunting with the Great Whites of California's Farallon Islands. New York : David Macaulay Studio, Roaring Brook Press, 2014.

Plot: Off the coast of California, the local elephant seals attract great white sharks, as well as great white shark scientists. The text reviews the behavior and characteristics of the sharks with detailed illustrations. Drawings of the animals dissect each aspect of the shark while explaining how it helps the animal. It also explains why scientists attempt to study sharks and what they have discovered.

Genre: Animals, Picture Books

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Tooth and Claw, Surprising Sharks

Personal Thoughts: The world needs more shark books. Definitely more. Never less. Always more.

All joking aside, sharks books often appeal to early readers, but many just offer basic information with stock photographs. This title teaches readers about sharks in a direct, professional, and accessible manner. The images also focus on the text, making the book more coherent and visually pleasing.

The Island of the Skog

And we're back to talking mouse stories

Kellogg, Steven. The Island of the Skog. New York : Dial Press 1973.

Plot: After watching their numbers steadily dwindle, the mice decide to leave the dangerous city and seek a safe haven across the sea. After a series of misadventures, they discover a nearly-deserted island. Their only neighbor is a skog, which no one can identify. The skog makes itself known by cutting the mice's ship loose, forcing them to deal with the dark-robed, big-footed creature.

Genre: Picture Books, Animals

Reading Level: Grades 1-3

Similar Titles: Lon Po Po, Amos & Boris, The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash

Personal Thoughts: I grew up with the stories and illustrations of Kellogg, but I never knew about this particular title. I includes all the detailed pictures with little in-jokes I enjoyed as a child, as well as a slightly suspenseful story that I like as an adult. It is not a particularly scary book and most readers will have guesses about the skog's identity before the end, but the title still offers a good read.

Leaving China: An Artist Paints His World War II Childhood

All the feels

McMullan, James. Leaving China: An Artist Paints His World War II Childhood. Chapel Hill, North Carolina : Algonquin, 2014.

Plot: The descendent of well-to-do businessmen in China, Jimmy seems destined to be a happy, if timid, boy. Then rumors of war from Japan approached his home in Cheefoo. Jimmy and his mother get sent to the United States, while his father remains in China. While Jimmy moves across the world, his mother can no longer access the assets in China, causing her to rely more and more on family, good looks, and attractive personalities to provide for her and her son. Jimmy's father dies in China, just after the war ends. The boy must make his peace with loss, moving, and fear while learning about himself as he is, instead of who his parents want him to be.

Genre: History, Picture Books, Biography

Similar Titles: Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights, Angel Island: Gateway to Gold Mountain

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Personal Thoughts: The title has something strangely addicting to it. While I have mentioned grief can be difficult to convey effectively to tweens, the title is not purely sad. True, it has a lot of sad elements, including war, loss, and disappointment, but it does not rely on the emotional push of these elements. It is not a story of sorrow, but a story of a little boy trying to make sense of the world. McMullan writes appropriately for a young reader and does not gloss over genuinely difficult concepts, but he remains okay and he makes sure his audience knows it. In a weird but undeniable way, it is a story of hope.

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Folktale

Yes, yesss...

Pay attention to the mirror and not the mosasaur stealing your medal

Steptoe, John. Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: An African Folktale. New York : Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1987.

Plot: One of Mufaro's daughters is industrious, kind, and generous, while the other is demanding, slanderous, and manipulative. Both are beautiful and the pride of their father. When the local king sends a proclamation requesting a wife, both women seem ideal. The trip to the king's palace will reveal the one with a true queenly nature, however.

Genre: Picture Books, Folktales, Fairy Tales

Reading Level: Grades Pre-K through 4.

Similar Titles: The Blind Hunter, What is My Song

Personal Thoughts: The title earned a Caldecott Honor Book award and enjoyed a feature on Reading Rainbow. While the book is fairly old, it still manages to appeal to modern audiences with its timeless diction and attractive illustrations. Also, like most folktales, it offers a fable about human nature. Two women seek their fortunes, but the kind nature of one ultimately serves her better than the rudeness of the other. Notably, both the good and the bad daughter are beautiful, reminding the audience that beauty is not the only value of a person. The way a person treats others reveals their worth. 

A Practical Guide to Faeries

A fairy and a dragon

Morris, Susan J. A Practical Guide to Faeries. Renton, WA : Wizards of the Coast, 2009.

Plot: A guide to identifying, understanding, and surviving the fair folk. While the traditional pixies find the most mention, the book also brings attention to some of the stranger and more hostile fairies as well. Brightly colored, heavily detailed images complement the text.

Genre: Folklore, Picture Books

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: A Practical Guide to Dragons, A Practical Guide to Monsters

Personal Thoughts: The story focuses the more traditional views of fairies. While old folktales describe fairies as benign or even benevolent, they often lack the capacity to understand a human point of view and the text reflects this. However, they are not necessarily malicious, but very prone to mischief, as the book also reveals. A pretty, creative title. 

Thank You, Mr. Falker

Sprite is in a hurry

Polacco, Patricia. Thank You, Mr. Falker. New York : Philomel Books, 1998.

Plot: Trisha loves the opportunity school represents. She longs to taste the sweetness of knowledge, just as her grandparents taught her. However, going to school steadily becomes more and more difficult. She can barely read and the other students tease her mercilessly. Eventually, at a new school, Mr. Falker arrives. He defends Trisha from the bullies and shows interest in her art. He also discovers the cause of her reading difficulties. The teacher admires her spirit and courage, so, with the help of a reading tutor, teaches her to finally encounter knowledge's sweetness.

Genre: Autobiography, School, Picture Books

Reading Level: Grades 3-6

Similar Titles: The Talented Clementine, The Hundred Dresses

Personal Thoughts: The story presents dyslexia in a comprehensible and sympathetic manner. As such, it received several awards, including Parent's Choice Honors. However, I am not sure if I would recommend it in a home or library setting. Please do not misunderstand, the title is certainly worthy of the attention it earned. It accurately describes the fear, shame, and loneliness present in dyslexia. However, the actual title reads like an assignment to me. Perhaps the word choice, somewhat dated illustrations, and lack of sympathetic characters beyond the protagonist causes the feelings, but it seems ideal for a classroom, not for leisurely reading.  

Math Curse

Falling ever deeper into the curse...

Scieszka, Jon and Smith, Lane. Math Curse. New York, N.Y. : Viking, 1995.

Plot: Math class was innocent enough until the teacher announced that nearly everything could be viewed as a math problem. One student, after carefully considering her statement, finds himself encased in a mathematical curse. Everything becomes a math problem. Each task, even getting dressed, becomes a series of increasingly difficult math problems. Eventually, the hex bleeds into conversations and cupcakes. Only a mind smarter than a word problem can break the terrible curse.

Genre: Picture Books, Math

Reading Level: Grades 4-9

Similar Titles: Science Verse, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

Personal Thoughts: The book cleverly mixes real math anxiety with fantasy results. While some complain about the title's repetition, most sources acknowledge the book's amazing capacity to make math interesting to non-mathematical readers.

Math Curse won a number of awards, including the ALA Best Book for Young Adults, Texas Bluebonnet Award, Booklist: Editor's Choice Award, and The Horn Book Fanfare.

Magnus and the Fire

A pretty book with a confusing message

Armstrong, Jennifer. Magnus and the Fire. New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2005.

Plot: Magnus works as one of a four-horse team at a fire station. They provide constant service, but cannot compete with changing technology. A motor engine replaces the team. Most of the horses accept going to pasture with good humor. Magnus, however, refuses to accept his retirement. He continuously escapes his field to join the firefighters. Eventually, he proves his worth, although he must make way for technology. A retired fire chief adopts him, allowing the faithful horse to eventually discover a sense of peace.

Genre: Picture Books, Animals, History

Reading Level: Grades 1-4

Similar Titles: Winter's Gift, Mrs. Mack

Personal Thoughts: While the text included beautiful and elaborate illustrations, the ending seemed a bit confusing. The story seems to focus on the ineptitude and limits of technology, but the motor vehicle stays while the horse must leave, despite his heroism and effectiveness. As a result, the story falls flat and leaves the reader disappointed.  

The Unbreakable Code

In the lower right corner, we can observe the leg of the feral blogger

Miner, Julia. The Unbreakable Code. Flagstaff, AZ : Northland Pub., 1996.

Plot: John fears leaving the Navajo reservation for school, since it means leaving everything he knows. His grandfather, though, wants to tell him a story before he leaves. In World War II, he, like many Navajos, left their homes to help fight the battle. Their power did not come from their arms, strength, or schooling. It came from their own culture. Using the Navajo language as a base, they managed to produce an unbreakable code for the army. Eventually, he and most of his people returned home, without the parades or fanfare given to most veterans. Still, leaving taught him much about home, culture, and identity. John's grandfather assures him that leaving will strengthen him and his culture, instead of weakening it.

Genre: Picture Books, History

Reading Level: Grades 4-6

Similar Titles: The Silent Storm, The Girl Who Chased Away Sorrow

Personal Thoughts: The story offers an introduction to a vital, but still often overlooked, group of people in one of the worst wars in history. It also includes views into the horrors of a realistic battle and the importance of remembering history. Overall, the text is a dour, but effective, reflection on code talkers.

Blanca's Feather

It's a dragon and a duck reading a book about a chicken

There's a joke here, somewhere

Madrigal, Antonio Hernandez. Blanca's Feather. Flagstaff, Ariz. : Rising Moon, 2000.

Plot: The Feast of Saint Francis is coming. Everyone wants their animals to receive a yearly blessing during the celebration. However, Rosalie's pet chicken, Blanca, is missing. Rosalie fears Blanca may get sick or hurt by coyotes if the bird misses the festival. Desperate to protect her pet, Rosalie brings one of Blanca's feathers to be blessed. The priest complies with her request, which may save more than just Blanca.

Genre: Picture Books, Animals

Reading Level: Grades 1-4

Similar Titles: Minnie Moo and the Mask of Zorro, Henrietta and the Golden Eggs

Personal Thoughts: A brief, cute story about a Mexican tradition. For curious readers, Blanca is Spanish for White. 

The Good Little Bad Little Pig

 The classic story of a boy and his pig

Brown, Margaret Wise. The Good Little Bad Little Pig. New York : Hyperion Books for Children, 2002.

Plot: Peter wants a pet pig. However, he does not want a good pig or a bad pig. He wants one that is both, because that pig will be the best pig ever. A local farmer appears to have the ideal animal. The pig squeals, makes a mess, and stops traffic. However, he also finishes his dinner, takes a bath, and walks nicely on a leash. Most importantly, he is the best pig Peter could every hope for.

Genre: Animals, Picture Books

Reading Level: Grades 1-4

Similar Titles:  Poppleton, Dragon's Fat Cat

Personal Thoughts: The text provides a cute story from the writer of Goodnight Moon and the illustrator of An Octopus Followed Me Home. Highly recommended for fans of pigs. 

Cinderella's Dress

Sprite is entirely too interested in the princess

Willard, Nancy. Cinderella's Dress. New York : Blue Sky Press, 2003.

Plot: The familiar tale of Cinderella gains a new twist through this retelling. While Cinderella continues to labor under the demands of her stepfamily, two magpies observe her. They adopt her as their daughter and create a beautiful paper dress so she can go to the ball. Her sisters cruelly destroy the birds' labor, though, leaving the heroine dejected. However, a final gift from the magpies could ensure a happy ending for their beloved daughter.

Genre: Fairy Tales, Picture Books

Reading Level: Grades 1-4

Similar Titles: The Rough-Faced Girl, The Talking Eggs: A Folktale from the American South

Personal Thoughts: The book provides a sweet, sad, pretty retelling of the famous fairy tale.   

The Jewel Fish of Karnak

 We read the book before bedtime. So Sprite dreamed about it.

Base, Graeme. The Jewel Fish of Karnak. New York : Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2011.

Plot: The great Pharaoh Cat offers two petty thieves a chance to redeem themselves. They must retrieve the magnificent Jewel Fish of Karnak from the evil Crocodile Prince. Before the two leave, she warns them to keep the fish dry and to avoid taking anything other than the fish. Unsurprisingly, the two fail to observe either warning. However, a careful reader may rescue them from their eternal attempts to retrieve the fish.

Genre: Picture Books, Animals, Puzzles

Reading Level: Grades 1-4

Similar Titles: The Eleventh Hour, Tough Boris

Personal Thoughts: The title seems typical of Graeme, which is certainly a good thing. The story is exotic, but relatable. Gorgeous illustrations coat the book and complement the story. Additionally, the story includes a puzzle that I could not figure out to save my life that will undoubtedly amuse readers. However, I do not think the book is quite on par with Animalia or The Eleventh Hour. The tale lacks the same degree of whimsy as the older titles. Still, the text offers an amusing experience to readers.

Island: A Story of the Galapagos

A dragon and a turtle

Chin, Jason. Island: A Story of the Galapagos. New York : Roaring Brook Press, 2012.

Plot: A brief history of the creation and settlement of the Galapagos Islands. The text, separated into several parts, begins with the geographic aspects of the islands. After a time, they become settled by plant, bird, and reptilian life. Due to changes on the islands, the foreign creatures gradually shift in behavior and physical features. Eventually, the animals become unique to the island chain, and inspired scientists throughout the world.

Genre: Science, Picture Books

Reading Level: 1-4

Similar Titles: Meadowlands: A Wetlands Survival Story, Far from Shore: Chronicles of an Open Ocean Voyage, Redwoods

Personal Thoughts: A pretty, well-written introduction to the islands of the Galapagos. The title is expected to win several awards this year.

The Loathsome Dragon

Sprite says racist stereotypes are harmful and are everyone's problem

He is a very sensitive dragon

Wiesner, David and Kahng, Kim. The Loathsome Dragon. New York : Clarion Books, 2005.

Plot: The title retells a classic English folktale. After the passing of his beloved wife, the good king eventually remarries, granting Princess Margaret and Prince Richard a stepmother. However, the new queen, jealous of the king's pride in Margaret, curses the princess and transforms her into a terrible dragon. To save her, the prince must return despite the fury and manipulations of his stepmother. He must also kiss his bewitched sister three times.Yet, how can any prince trust a loathsome dragon?

Genre: Folklore, Picture Books

Reading Level: Grades 3-5

Similar Titles: The Well at the End of the World, The Great Smelly, Slobbery, Small-Toothed Dog: A Folktale from Great Britain, The Green Mist

Personal Thoughts: The title is lovingly filled with the story staples never really seen anymore. Perhaps I am being cynical, but what last, popular, non-parody title featured a genuinely malicious dragon, wicked stepmother, or heroic prince? Anyway, the elaborate illustrations complement the story without distracting from it, making it an enjoyable picture book.

A Practical Guide to Monsters

I got ya, little buddy

Hess, Nina. A Practical Guide to Monsters. Reston, WA : Mirrorstone, 2007.

Plot: The title acts as a study source for apprentice adventurers before they take their final. Each creature enjoys elaborate, colored illustrations, as well as a fact box outlining basic characteristics and behaviors. Occasionally, the descriptions include notes from the professor written in red ink, usually for humorous purposes. Mythical creatures, such as goblins, medusas, griffins, and vampires find mention, but so do modern Dungeons and Dragons staples, such as zombies, nightwalkers, and fire giants.

Genre: Fantasy, Picture Books

Reading Level: Grades 1 and up; however, older readers will probably appreciate the cultural context of the creatures more than younger readers.

Similar Titles: A Practical Guide to Dragons, A Practical Guide to Wizardry, A Practical Guide to Fairies

Personal Thoughts: While the title appears intended for younger readers, many of the topics and terminology seem better suited for tweens. The illustrations and text balance each other nicely, so the title appears neither too wordy nor too picturesque.

Apparently, most of the text's references relate to Dungeons and Dragons, although most of the game's technical aspects and lore remains subdued. By approaching the subject matter in this manner, some of the more controversial aspects of the series remain unstated, appeasing sensitive readers. However, the many allusions can act as a "bonus" for players familiar with the game.