The Boy on the Wooden Box

I read The Boy on the Wooden Box: How the Impossible Became Possible... on Schindler's List by Leon Leyson
I checked the book out from my library
5 stars

The stories of how Leon avoided and then was moved to a concentration camp, life inside the camp, life once he was mostly protected by Schindler, and the eventual demise of Nazi Germany... they were so heartbreaking and powerful. I have never seen the movie Schindler's List, so I knew nothing about who he was. It was another lesson in humanity to learn how someone that had so much power was still able to basically put his life on the line to help out a large number of Jews. Leon's family was basically in the right place at the right time, but their hard work, determination, and little bit of spunk helped them stand out.

I don't really know what to say about this little book. How can such a small book have such a big impact? I have read many a Holocaust survival biography. We have this one down in the Children's Department of the library where I work, so I thought it would be a short, basic biography. Yes, it was a quick read to me, but that was because I stayed up all night reading it. This book has recommendations for 9+ or 11+. It would be appropriate for teens as well, and many adults will learn from it as well.

Being an autobiography, and being about Schindler's List and how people survived that otherwise wouldn't, at least I knew Leon would survive. I cared deeply about the rest of his family though, so I needed to find out how many, if any, of them would survive. Leon's life after the Holocaust was great to me. He turned out to be such an interesting person. I am so glad he decided to write down his story. It was not necessarily the best writing in the world; it seemed written by an amateur, but the story was so powerful that it didn't need to be. It was real.The 

The Boy on the Porch

I read The Boy on the Porch by Sharon Creech
I checked out the book from my library
5 stars

A boy, about 6 or 7, is left on Marta and John's porch with a note (very poorly written) telling them that the boy's name is Jacob, and "we" will be back for him. The boy doesn't make noise, meaning he doesn't even speak. Marta and John think the parents might be back in a day or two. After that time, they start thinking maybe they should tell someone, but they don't. Eventually, the boy becomes part of their lives, just like their dog, Beagle, and the cow that was found tied to their fence. That happy time unfortunately must end when, as the note implied, someone comes back for him.

This is an extremely quick read, partly because it is short, and partly because it is amazing. So wonderfully written, I was quickly pulled into their lives within very few words. I have to say, I cried at the end, something I never do. Happy tears? Sad tears? You have to read to find out.

Kids grades 4-6, with some mature younger ones, will get a lot out of this charming story. There are obvious issues that are brought to light, such as right vs. wrong. The last few chapters show how one silent little boy can impact so many people's lives, including mine.

The Cow in Patrick O'Shanahan's Kitchen

I read The Cow in Patrick O'Shanahan's Kitchen by Diana Prichard, Illustrated by Heather Knopf
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
3.5 stars

This is a story about where your food comes from. Patrick wakes up one morning to a cow in his kitchen! When he goes to find eggs, there are chickens in the fridge. What will appear when he needs to find the maple syrup? How will all of these things get out of the kitchen?

I love the writing in this story. The animal sounds, the pauses for effect, just very well written. It would be perfect for a read aloud. Unfortunately, it isn't quite right for a story time at the library where I work. The part about pulling on the cow's teat is a little too awkward to read to a random group of kids. It would be perfect to read to a classroom learning about farms, animals, or where food and milk comes from.

The illustrations aren't my favorite. I do have an ARC, so they are not final. I take it from the cover art that they aren't far off though. They just don't seem like they would get the attention of children. I will check the final art before I publish this review anywhere else once the book is published. Until then, a strong 3.5 stars. Not able to use in my story times, but perfect for teaching what it is intended to teach.

The Rule of Thirds

I read The Rule of Thirds by Chantel Guertin
Free ARC provided through NetGalley
5 Stars

Philadelphia Greene, AKA Pippa,a is a photographer. That is her love in life. She is preparing for Vantage Point, the statewide photography competition. Last year she photographed her best friend, Dace, in all of her modelling glory. She can use the theme again and do the same thing, preparing her for her future of high fashion photography. That is her and Dace's plan in life. With new trials in her life, new boys popping up, and her unfortunate new volunteering gig at the hospital, will her plans change? Why is Dace acting so secretive? And why are there now two boys in her life?

A book about cancer. A book about photography. A book about teenage friendship trials. A book about boyfriends. A book about right versus wrong. There are quite a few themes to this one. Sometimes too much going on makes for an underdeveloped, poorly written book. That is not the case in this one. I felt that most of the characters were very well developed. I was really invested in Pippa and Dace's friendship, and I just adored Dylan. Seeing inside Pippa's world dealing with panic attacks, stresses over the photography competition, and how she felt about the boys in her life felt very real. I think teenagers will relate, even if they aren't going through the same trials or have the same interests. Perfect for high school kids.

Random side warning: there is some teenage drinking in this one. It isn't too much of the story, but it also isn't portrayed in a bad way at all. It makes teenage drinking seem like mostly not a big deal with very few consequences. Just putting that out there so parents will know what their kids are reading.

Danny's Doodles: The Jelly Bean Experiment

I read Danny's Doodles: The Jelly Bean Experiment by David Adler
I received a free ARC by Jabberwocky through NetGalley
5 stars

Danny has a new friend, Calvin Waffle. Danny likes baseball. Calvin likes science. Calvin's dad isn't around because he is a spy, or is he really? Calvin has an idea for an experiment that involves having Danny carry around Calvin's jelly beans but not eat them. What will happen with the Jelly Bean Experiment, will Calvin make more friends, and will the boys win the baseball game? All of these questions, and the one about Calvin's dad will be answered in this book

Danny's Doodles: The Jelly Bean Experiment is perfect for readers of beginner chapter books. It is a step up from easy reading books, being somewhat longer and having fewer pictures. It isn't too long to intimidate those just moving into chapter books. The story is safe to give to kids in first or second that are reading above grade level, something parents are always looking for when they come to the library. The pictures don't play too much of a role in this one, but they might be just enough to appeal to the young readers.

The author says he starts each fiction book with the main character and the story comes later. You can tell that in his writing. The characters are developed very well, something that is often lacking in young chapter books. You can also tell that he is a veteran writer, having many books under his belt, he still managed to write an original story with a great lesson in it. Be who you are. People will accept you eventually, and your natural talents will even have the opportunity to help others.

Sage's Song

I read Sage's Song of the Pumpkinheads series, written by Karen Kilpatrick
I received a free digital copy through NetGalley
4 stars

I have never heard of the Pumpkinheads before. I chose this book because I am always looking for great song picture books for my sing along story time. I am not sure if this one will work. It is a bit too young for the preschoolers but too long for the toddlers. My first thought was that I would be able to give each child a tambourine to play for the drum part. They would enjoy that, but I wouldn't be able to recreate the other sounds as well, and the kids might not stop playing the instruments while I read.

I think this one would work for older toddlers or a class of young preschoolers. They would be able to make the sounds with me, and that would be fun. The illustrations are simple and colorful. They fit the story well. This would also be a great book to read to your child, especially one that likes music or making sounds. What kid doesn't like those things? A good book.

Beep Beep Goes the Bus Driver

I read Beep Beep Goes the Bus Driver by Vincent Scala
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
2 stars

Take a ride on the bus to go pick up a variety of riders. From zoo animals, to bunnies, to the abominable snowman, kids will be kept wondering what animals will come next.

I was pretty disappointed in this book. I chose it because it sounded like something I might be able to read in my preschool story times or sing along. It definitely won't be added to my collection. The illustrations are interesting and colorful, resembling some television shows that kids might recognize. They are not necessarily my style, but they aren't bad.

It is the actual story itself that ruined it for me. Rhyming books need to flow. From the first page, I couldn't get into it. "He passes through the city, the mountains, and the zoo. Here comes the bus driver... I think he's beeping at you." Yes, the "..." is in there. That seems pointless. And then, this one could have been saved with changing the end to "He's beeping at you" instead of "I think he's beeping at you." That wasn't a deal breaker for me, but from that point on I wasn't impressed. Many of the rhymes don't rhyme. Go and Road. Stop and Off.

Then there is this one: "The driver pushes a special red button and up you go with a powerful blast. The bus soars like a rocket through the sky. Beep, beep goes the bus driver, "I don't think I've ever been this high."" What is the point of the first sentence?! It is like the author is having a hard time getting the story in like he wants it, so he just gives up caring if it flows at all.

"All of a sudden, like a dream you can't believe, floating onto the bus is the adventurous Spaceman Steve. "I've lost my rocket, but I've brought everyone cheese." So... is cheese supposed to rhyme with believe and Steve, or was this just another random sentence added even though it doesn't follow the rhyming pattern that happened for the first half of the book.

Is it only me, or does "as you wave everyone goodbye" make no sense?

The book is too long. The illustrations are just okay to me. The story itself has potential, but I focused too much on the issues I listed above to really care about it.

Mister Max: The Book of Lost Things

I read Mister Max: The Book of Lost Things by Cynthia Voigt
Free ARC provided through NetGalley
4 Stars

Max's theatrical parents rush out of the country to take a new acting job. Max is supposed to go with them. He misses the boat, because the supposed boat doesn't really exist. Thankfully his grandmother is still nearby to help him. With some odd jobs and his grandmother's help, he is able to somewhat thrive on his own, waiting to hear what has become of his parents.

I liked: The writing style, the time period, Max himself and his adventures.
I wasn't so sure about: The supposed mystery that took a huge back burner shortly into the story, the way that he seemed so immature yet people treated him like an adult (like they had no idea how old he was.)

Honestly, I am not sure how I feel about this book. It was fun to read about his adventures, but I didn't feel like there was really a point to them. There are more books to come, so I hope the story is developed further. The writing was fun, and the character building was great if not confusing (again, people treating Max like they don't realize he is only 12, going on 13) hopefully leading to more answers than questions in the next installment. I cannot think of a specific age or type of child to give this book to, but it was just delightful enough to earn 4 stars to me. I do have high hopes for a 5 star book to follow, but it isn't one I'm desperately waiting to read. I'm kind of worried I will have forgotten it by the time it comes out next year.

Adventures in Cartooning: Characters in Action

I read Adventures in Cartooning: Characters in Action by James Sturm, Andrew Arnold, and Alexis Frederick-Frost
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
5 stars

This is the first Adventures in Cartooning book I have read. I have seen them at the library where I work, and I know they are quite popular with the kids. One of them was a Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee, so I usually take it that it must be pretty good. When I saw this on NetGalley, I decided I would really like to read it. I only knew that it was a graphic book, really nothing else. Still, I wasn't disappointed in my decision to read it.

A simple knight on a simple horse is making his way home to the castle. He meets some random evil characters that are fighting over their roles, even another knight. He runs to the castle to warn the king that some evil characters are heading his way. Met by a mob at the castle, he and his horse, Edward, have to take a secret entrance in. Yes, the horse crawls underground. It's quite amusing. Once inside, he finds out the king is missing and they are filming a movie. Silly? Definitely. From there, random stuff happens, there is a happy ending, and then they go on to explain how to draw simple characters. The end.

I really liked this one. There is some amazing vocabulary for such a short graphic novel; words like alms and mangy. The illustrations are cute and reproducable (yes, I apparently just made that word up) for kids trying to learn to draw. Even the changing fonts are fun. My absolute favorite part is when the main knight mistakes a vacuum for a robot and says "Well that sucks." I've always loved the joke about a vacuum sucking. Don't worry parents; that is the worst thing in the book if you are a stickler for bad language.

The ending tips on drawing are very helpful. There are a lot of suggestions and examples for simple ways to make a wide variety of characters. Kids who love to draw cartoons will find a double win with this book.

Star Wars: Jedi Academy

I read Star Wars: Jedi Academy by Jeffrey Brown
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
4 Stars

Roan wants to go to Pilot Academy. He has dreamed of it his whole life. When he doesn't get in, he is sure he will be heading to Plant School. Then, unexpectedly, he gets accepted into the Jedi Academy. This is odd because he is much older than most kids that are first years there. The Force must be strong with that one! This is a fun tale of going off to a new (middle) school, making friends, dealing with not being exactly where you want to be, but learning to hopefully love it.

Fans of Star Wars will like this completely original story. There are many detailed drawings, one of the joys of this author/illustrator. There are fun extras throughout the book like letters from his brother and newsletters at school that will keep the kids reading it entertained. Thankfully there is plenty of Yoda, as observed from a middle school child. 8-year-olds might get a little bored with this one, but die-hard Star Wars fans well into middle school will breeze through it. Hopefully they will learn to be themselves and enjoy the life they have while they are at it.

The Alphabet Parade

I read The Alphabet Parade by Charles Ghigna, illustrated by Ag Jatkowska
I received a free ARC through NetGalley
4 Stars

This was a very cute book with colorful illustrations and great rhyming. There was a fun variety of different animals, from dogs and leopards to Kinkajou and unicorns. There were also acrobats and queens along the way. I absolutely love the illustrations. They look just like the ones on the cover. 

I don't normally read ABC books in story time, but this one would probably work well. The rhymes make it great for that purpose. I really wish it had an ending similar to the beginning. The beginning of the book says "The Alphabet Parade! Oh, what a sight to see! A big parade of letters all the way from A to Z." The book ends with the line about Z, and that's it. A simple last stanza would have made this book perfect.