Recent Reads

Growing Up in Revolution and the New Nation

Some of my favorite children's nonfiction books are centered around the history of childhood, so it was no surprise to me that I enjoyed my first read in the Our America series. Revolutionary-era childhood was quite solemn and frightening at times, what with nearby battles and the dread of fatal illnesses surrounding families. However, readers also learn of popular games and toys favored by children of this time, as well as their schooling, clothing, etc.



Everybody's Revolution: A New Look at the People Who Won America's Freedom

If you think that only Americans of British descent fought the Revolution, then you need to pick up this book! Thomas Fleming introduces us to Spaniards (I was happy to see a mini-essay on Louisiana governor Bernardo de Galvez) , French, Irish, Italian, women, Native Americans, Jews, young people, and African Americans who fought valiantly for American independence. As a young second-generation American of Irish descent, Thomas Fleming felt little connection to the American Revolution, as he thought it was simply a war between Englishmen on both sides. It wasn't until he became a historian that he discovered that it just wasn't true! The Washington Post named this as one of the top books of the year, and I have to agree!



The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had

I read the majority of this last night and finished it this morning-it was that good. Although friendship across racial lines isn't something that's new to children's fiction, it makes for an engrossing and fresh story when it's done well, as Kristin Levine (who lives in Alexandria) does in this book. This is Levine's first novel, and it's already received very positive press, including a starred review in Publishers Weekly.

As this deals with a friendship between a Caucasian boy and African-American boy set in early twentieth century Alabama, there are ugly racial episodes in the book. However, it's not as black and white (no pun intended) as it is in other children's novels set in the South. The reaction to the new postmaster's family runs the gamut from welcoming (although there are clear separations and thoughtless remarks said to the family) to outright hatred. As the family is from Boston, there are also subtle differences between them and the rural Southern African-Americans with whom they worship and go to school. The friendship between Dit and Emma is beautifully portrayed and rings true. It's quite a memorable read.

Mice Are Rather Nice

This week's toddler story time theme was "Mice Are Rather Nice." Mice naturally lend themselves nicely to children's picture books; small, mischievous, and cute (as long as they are not in your house). This week's books were a big hit:



This little mouse is absolutely craving a midnight snack. Fortunately for him (and unfortunately for the poor folks living in the house) the kitchen is stocked with the right kind of food for a hungry little mouse: cookies, crackers, cheese, and CORNFLAKES! Mouse makes an outstanding mess in the kitchen. A big hit with my toddlers!



I adore this book.
This darling little mouse is just fanatic about his red ripe strawberry. His facial expressions when the "narrator" tells him about the BIG HUNGRY BEAR that also adores red ripe strawberries are hilarious.



Little Mouse keeps telling his mother that he "wants another, Mother!" Poor Mrs. Mouse thinks he wants another mother, so she rounds up Mrs. Frog, Mrs. Pig, and all the other mothers in the area. However, what Little Mouse really wants is another kiss from *his* mother. A sweet yet not annoying bedtime story that also works well with a Mother's Day theme.

Fingerplays:

The Mouse Went Around the Room

The mouse went around the room (draw big circle in air)
The mouse went around the room
The mouse went around the room
And what do you think he saw? (shoulders shrug, palms open)

He saw a great big cat (indicate big cat with arms in circle)
He saw a great big cat
He saw a great big cat
And what do you think he did?

The mouse crept into his hole (crouch down)
The mouse crept into his hole
The mouse crept into his hole
Safe and sound at last

Hickory Dickory Dock

Hickory dickory dock (clap while saying)
The mouse ran up the clock (run fingers up arm)
The clock struck one (clap)
The mouse ran down (run fingers down arm)
Hickory dickory dock (clap while saying)

Once There Lived a Quiet Mouse

Once there lived a quiet mouse (make a fist)
In a quiet little house (put finger in fist)
When all was quiet as could be
Out popped he (pull finger out of fist)

Flannel Board
Pieces: 5 little mice, cake, cheese, kitten, circle for hole
Everyone indicates the action within the flannel board story


5 little mice on the pantry floor
This little mouse peeked around the door
This little mouse nibbled on some cake
This little mouse not a sound did make
This little mouse took a big bite of cheese
And this little mouse heard the kitten sneeze
Achoo! sneezed the kitten
And squeak they all cried
They found their hole and hurried inside

Opening: Shake My Sillies Out with rhythm instruments
Closing circle songs: Ring Around the Rosie (twice), Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush

March is Women's History Month

Did you know that March is Women's History Month? Indeed, it is. We have many terrific books, fiction and non, that you should check out the next time you visit us!



The Hope Chest was one of my favorite reads last year. Set mainly in Nashville at the height of the suffragist movement and centered around two young girls, one Caucasian and the other African-American, The Hope Chest tells the struggle for women's voting rights (19th Amendment). Not only does it touch upon the forgotten fact that Nashville was at the center for the ratification struggle, but it also reminds us of the unfortunate racism that existed within the suffragist movement.



Cut From the Same Cloth is a fun collection of American tall tales, legends, and folk tales that involve women. Stories from Anglo, Latino, Native American, and African American cultures are included, making this a splendid multicultural resource.



Count on Us is a riveting history of American women in the Armed Forces. Beginning with the Revolutionary War and ending with the current war in Iraq, Count on Us tells us about the struggles, disappointments, bravery, and successes of American military women.



Remember A League of Their Own (there's no crying in baseball)? While that movie was largely fiction, a women's baseball league actually did exist from 1943-1954. A Whole New Ball Game is a fun and fascinating look at the league's brief history.



One of my favorite read aloud biographies is Wilma Unlimited. Last summer (during the height of the Olympics), I read this to a group of 3rd and
4th graders at the Boys and Girls Club. Wilma Rudolph's inspirational story, from her battle with polio to her Olympic victory, is beautifully brought to life.



One of my favorite biographies for older children is Something Out of Nothing. Marie Curie's incredible and ultimately tragic life story is brilliantly told in this superb biography for upper elementary and middle school students.

If you would like even more recommendations, go to our online Women's History Month booklist or pick up our Women's History Month bibliography (with even more titles) the next time you visit one of our branches.

Tuesday Roundup, Part Deux

"I've just decided to switch
our Friday schedule to Monday, which means that the test we
take each Friday on what we learned during the week will now
take place on Monday before we've learned it. But since
today is Tuesday, it doesn't matter in the slightest."

(Tuesday roundup, Part Deux will be published on Wednesday. Even though the date stamp says Tuesday.)

And now for something completely different: books that I finished.



The Surrender Tree

As you may already know, The Surrender Tree is a 2009 Newbery Honor book. I have chronic verse novel fatigue, so it's always a pleasure when I actually enjoy reading a verse novel. Perhaps enjoy is not the right term here, because this is quite a moving and mature read. If you're like me, you don't know very much about Cuba prior to the Castro revolution. Cuba's struggle for independence from Spain is not something that comes up regularly in children's/young adult literature. Told from the perspective of multiple narrators (another device that I normally don't warm to), The Surrender Tree is a slim novel with a strong punch. Highly recommended.



Parvana's Journey

Deborah Ellis's Breadwinner trilogy is an affecting and outstanding look at a young girl's life under the Taliban regime. Parvana is a smart, resourceful, and inspiring character that you'll not soon forget.



A Dog Called Kitty

Don't be misled by the title and cute cover. This is an unflinching story about a young boy's struggle to overcome his fear of dogs. There is quite a bit of violence (animal and human) in the story. If you can get past that, it's worth a read.



Piper Reed: The Great Gypsy

Kimberly Willis Holt is one of my favorite authors, and I'm delighted about her new(ish) series, Piper Reed. A terrific new easy chapter book series is always a good thing. What makes this series special, other than its immediate child appeal, is that Piper is a "Navy brat." The effects of military life on a family is not something commonly found in beginning chapter books. Mr. Reed's deployment is dealt with in a realistic yet nonthreatening way, as the majority of the book deals with Piper's day to day delights and concerns. If your reader is not quite ready for the Ramona books, try the Piper Reed series.

Minty

Harriet Tubman has long been a perennial biography assignment favorite, even before Black History Month assignments became standard. Like other long-lionized historical people, her accomplishments are so well known and such a part of our country's collective memory that it's easy to get blase about her life story. Minty brings us back to her amazing life story by focusing on her childhood as a slave in Maryland's Eastern Shore. With mesmerizing illustrations and a text suitable for a classroom read aloud, Minty stands up to the best in picture book biographies.

Tuesday Roundup

I've started and put aside quite a few books recently. I usually have no sentimentality toward a book I've started. If it doesn't grab me by the first 50-100 pages, it's over. However, we are full steam ahead with the spring 2009 publication season, meaning that there are many new books that demand my attention. If I'm going to stay with an older book, it better be something that grabs me right away. Not that it's the fault of the author-perhaps I'm just not in the mood for that particular storyline, genre, etc.

I've never blogged about books that I haven't finished. Just never felt the need. Well, I'm looking for new ways to get me back into blogging on a regular basis, so I'm going to tell you about the books that I didn't finish. This won't be a bashing session. If you've read the book, I'd love it if you left a comment on it.

So, without further ado:

BOOKS I DIDN'T FINISH (RECENTLY):



Elvis and Olive

Brief synopsis from the catalog: "In spite of their differences, Natalie Wallis and Annie Beckett become friends and decide to spend their summer spying on their neighbors."

Why I didn't finish it: I have a low tolerance for books with precociously quirky children. Many adore them. They, more often than not, get on my nerves.

Why you should read it and tell me that I'm crazy for not finishing it: Cool girl characters! Can't have enough of those (but we need more cool guy character books!).




The Happiness of Kati

Synopsis from the catalog: "With the impending death of her mother, Kati, a young Thai girl, completes the puzzle of her past and discovers the reason that her mother gave her up as a baby."

Why I didn't finish it: I appreciate the fact that the book centers around ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and that it is set in Thailand, two things that don't commonly factor into children's literature. However, the facts about the disease were awkwardly inserted into the story line.

Why you should read it and tell me that I'm crazy for not finishing it: It's such a unique setting that it should get some kudos for that!

Next post: Books that I did finish. What a concept!

Catching Up and a Few Changes

I hope everyone is ready for spring. I know I am! Woke up to snow (nothing substantial) and had to find my mittens. I am ready for spring.

Once upon a time, I blogged nearly every day. Well, things have changed, and I no longer have the time or the desire to post every single day. However, I would like to keep up the blog, so I've decided that The Kiddosphere will be a weekly update on what I've read, anything interesting I've found on other blogs or other places, etc.

This will start next week, with my thoughts on Kimberly Willis Holt's latest Piper Reed book. Loved it! Very cute (Holt is one of my favorites).

Recent Reads

In the "Late to the Party" category:



Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist

In the "Can't Get Enough of Little House Books" category:



Pioneer Girl

In the "Nonfiction With Action and Mystery" category:


Inside the Alamo



Roanoke: The Mystery of the Lost Colony

Next to Mexico

I usually only comment upon a book after I've finished it, but since I feel like I'm neglecting this blog this week, I'll make an exception.



Next to Mexico is a funny, touching, and realistic look at a friendship between two girls. Lylice ("rhymes with Phyllis) has been promoted from the fourth grade to the sixth grade. As you can imagine, skipping the fifth grade puts Lylice in a major social gap. Luckily, she quickly befriends Mexico Mendoza, a new student. A steady friendship is severely tested, and Lylice must make amends if she wishes to earn Mexico's friendship back.

Mexico's diabetes is a central part of this story; although juvenile diabetes is certainly not uncommon, it's difficult to find evenhanded stories centered around it. It's an important part of Mexico's life, but it doesn't define it. Neither does her Latino heritage; apart from a prejudiced remark from a classmates and descriptions of Mexico's aunt's cooking, Mexico's heritage is treated very matter-of-fact. A typical "sad little rich girl" character is included, but it's a sensitive and understanding secondary story line.

Next to Mexico is solidly middle grade fiction, perfect for girls that are just ready for YA books. It's an entertaining, sweet, and sensitive story.

Don't Know Much About the Pilgrims

"Don't know much about history..."

Good. Now that I've given you that earworm, let me tell you about Don't Know Much About the Pilgrims. Although you may be familiar with the grownup versions of the Don't Know Much About series, you may not know that the line also includes book written just for children. Written in a casual and occasionally funny style (but serious when the situation warrants), Don't Know Much About the Pilgrims is a terrific read anytime you want to know more about this peculiar group of people.

When once the Pilgrims received nothing but adulations, they often now receive criticism, suspicion, and contempt. Kenneth C. Davis strikes a remarkable balance between the two sides, showing both their negative and positive contributions. Perfect for any time of the year, Don't Know Much About the Pilgrims is a satisfactory look at this fascinating time in American history.