The Humming Room

By Ellen Potter

Potter, Ellen. The Humming Room. New York: Scholastic, Inc., 2012.

Roo Fanshaw is a young girl sent to live with her eccentric uncle when her father dies.  Living on Cough Rock Island is not anything like she expected.  The house she lives in is full of strange noises.  Even though she claims to not believe in ghosts, she hears things in the house and constantly wonders about the boy who lives on the river.  She knows that those around her are lying to her and she becomes determined to discover the truth.

This is an enchanting tale inspired by The Secret Garden.  A garden hidden in a mansion helps to bring a broken family back together.  Potter writes a beautiful tale filled with mystery and new friendships.  Each of the characters brings a certain nuance to the story that delivers a tale that falls in line with ghost stories and fairy tales.

Book Trailers

Here is a list of links to personally made book trailers for some of these fabulous Texas Bluebonnet books.  All of these trailers were made through http://animoto.com.  All of the images used came from the Britannica Image Quest database and are royalty free to the school district.

Ghetto Cowboy - http://animoto.com/play/T0zSraY6V1SbC7agVYKLZQ

10 Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break if You Want to Survive the School Bus - http://animoto.com/play/zGqIE6csu4SrvegVZlOJeg

Barnum’s Bones - http://animoto.com/play/DfpW94oPgMn958aXi06XHQ

Looking at Lincoln - http://animoto.com/play/YXTQNrQYuP6wkoSeHcjepA

Balloons Over Broadway - http://animoto.com/play/clxhqswwNNSGwrSWQGhLZw

Coral Reefs - http://animoto.com/play/vOS6CLfZFH70w8ZV94KJvg

The One and Only Ivan - http://animoto.com/play/CA8MJIvx41OShR0YkXqw5A

Jangles - http://animoto.com/play/c0NzJd8TxU9576mz6nB25Q

Flying the Dragon - http://animoto.com/play/So71XgcrU817CUbk6aXwaA

Tua and the Elephant - http://animoto.com/play/QXvA4IgUpQnICqdH0NnBkA

Tua and the Elephant

Tua and the Elephant

By R.P. Harris

Harris, R. P., and Taeeun Yoo. Tua and the elephant. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2012.

Tua is a young girl living in Chiang Mai, Thailand. She spends her days running around the market until she makes a new friend. This new friend happens to be an elephant she rescues from two mean mahouts.  Tua names the elephant Pohn-Pohn.  She and Pohn-Pohn go on adventures as they travel to the elephant sanctuary. Tua wants to keep Pohn-Pohn safe from the bad mahouts.  

Harris writes an enchanting tale about life in Thailand.  The innocence of the characters truly brings the story to life.  Yoo's illustrations help the reader to visualize what Thailand might look like in certain areas.  The pictures reinforce the characters' emotions.  This is a beautiful story of a girl and an elephant that work together to save the day.

"Pure adventure. " - The New York Times

" A charming story sure to capture the hearts of young readers" - School Library Journal

"A gem!" - ReadKiddoRead.com

"A rousing adventure." - Kirkus Reviews Starred Review

"Charming" - Education.com

"Enchanting. . . A strong read-aloud choice. " - Shelf Awareness for Readers, starred review

Coral Reefs

Coral Reefs

By Jason Chin

Chin, Jason. Coral reefs. New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2011.

Coral reefs are sometimes known as the cities of the sea.  Coral reefs are teaming with life. A reef starts with coral. certain types of fish come to eat the coral. Other predators follow the fish. Every animal that lives in the reef has different types of adaptations to protect itself against predators.  All of the plants and animals in the reef have different types of relationships.  Each depends on the other.

Chin provides facts and information about coral reefs in a colorful way.  He talks about how they are made, the types of animals that live in the reefs, food chains, predator and prey relationships, and adaptations.  His illustrations provide a second story as well as what the reefs look like.  As Chin describes coral reefs and the animals that live there, his illustrations tell the story of a girl who pulls the book off the library shelf and falls into this world of coral reefs.  She discovers all the facts about the animals and how they live.  Chin also provides information about the threat to coral reefs.  

“Information and fantasy collaborate in this imaginative introduction to coral reefs.” --BCCB

 

“Chin offers a colorful and inventive introduction to coral reefs.” --School Library Journal

 

"Chin, who pioneered this hybrid form of straightforward nonfiction text and fanciful pictures with Redwoods (2009), offers another a statement about the power of reading for an imaginative child with this appealing introduction to a complex world." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review 

 

"Chin’s detailed illustrations capture the dappled light of shallow water and the bright tropical colors and patterns in the featured flora and fauna…. Readers shouldn’t skip the information at the back, which explains the serious problem of coral bleaching due to global warming.” --Horn Book Magazine

 

"Chin’s latest book offers a straightforward text discussing coral reefs, while the well-composed illustrations create an imaginative narrative running in parallel.” --Booklist

Jangles: A Big Fish Story

Jangles: A Big Fish Story

By David Shannon

Shannon, David. Jangles: a big fish story. New York: Blue Sky Press, 2012.

Jangles is a big fish that has become legend. Everyone wants to catch him. Everyone has a story about how close they came to catching him.  Jangles is unmistakable for his jangling hooks and lures. Jangles says, "I am more than a fish. I am a storyteller, and a story."

David Shannon writes an amusing tale about the fish that got away.  It is told from the perspective of a young boy who is out late fishing.  His story takes an interesting turn and he is left with a decision to make.  Shannon's illustrations add another dimension, and it lets the reader dive deeper into the story of the fish that got away.  his illustrations tell the story as much as his words.

"The boy in the story catches Jangles—he claims—but few will foresee what happens next, in a series of events that owe both to folklore and suburban legend. Picture-book art doesn't get much more rousing than this; for anglers in particular and adventure lovers in general, it’s a slam-dunk." -- Publisher's Weekly starred review

Flying the Dragon

Flying the Dragon

By Natalie Dias Lorenzi

Lorenzi, Natalie Dias. Flying the dragon. Watertown, Mass.: Charlesbridge, 2012. 

Skye is a young Japanese American girl who loves to play soccer.  She is upset when she finds out she made the All-Star team but cannot play due to Japanese classes she must take.  She has family moving to Washington, DC from Japan.  She is expected to show her cousin Hiroshi around.  

Hiroshi is Skye's Japanese cousin.  He has been waiting a long time to fight in the rokkaku kite fighting contest held every year in Japan.  He spent a long time building his kite with his grandfather.  He is upset when he learns he is going to move to America and miss the contest that his family has won every year for generations.  Grandfather needs treatment he can only receive in America.  

Through kite flying, Hiroshi and Skye start to get along with each other, thanks to Grandfather.  When they discover there will be a rokkaku  in Washington DC, they work diligently to finish the kite for the fight with the hope that Grandfather will hang on long enough to see the kite fight.  

Lorenzi's story is a moving tale of adapting to change and how it affects us all.  Each chapter moves back and forth between Skye's point of view and Hiroshi's point of view.  Each child has his or her own feelings about what is important and how that affects them at school and at home. Through the story, the cultural differences come alive.  

"A quiet, beautifully moving portrayal of a multicultural family." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Debut novelist Lorenzi offers an emphathetic and quietly affecting fish-out-of-water story, with both children struggling with disappointments, prejudice, language difficulties, and being caught between cultures."  

-- Publisher's Weekly

Ghetto Cowboy

Ghetto Cowboy

A novel by G. Neri

 

 

 

Neri, G. Ghetto Cowboy. Performed by JD Jackson. Grand Haven, MI: Brilliance Audio, 2011.

 

When Cole's mother dumps him in Philadelphia with his father, a father he has never met, he is left to figure things out on his own.  Cole is a young man trying to find his way in the world.  He had gotten himself into so much trouble in Detroit that it drove his mother to the point she could no longer handle him. 

 

Cole's father works horses on the north side of Philly.  As Cole learns about the horses, he also learns what it means to fight for something you believe in.  It is up to him to fight for the stables the city wants to take over and bulldoze.  He also has to fight for the horse he comes to love as his own.

 

Neri writes a story of courage and willfulness.  His story is inspired by the real life inner city horsemen from Philadelphia and Brooklyn.  His urban western brings black cowboys to light.  JD Jackson's performance is inspiring.  He brings the characters to life.  Cole's resentfulness can be heard in Jackson's performance of Neri's words.  

 

A fascinating glimpse of a culture most readers will not have heard of.
—Kirkus Reviews

Neri's story is original in theme and inspirational in tone and content.
—Booklist

 

Honors:

• 2012 Horace Mann Upstanders Children's Book Award
• 2012 ALA Odyssey Award Honor
• 2011 Junior Library Guild pick
• 2013 Texas Bluebonnet Master List
• 2012 ALSC Notable Recording
• 2012 YALSA Amazing Audiobook pick
• 2011 Cybil Award finalist
• 2012 School Library Journal Best Audio for Middle School
• 2011 AudioFile Earphones Award
• 2011 NYPL's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
• 2011 100 Magnificent Children's Books
• 2011 VOYA Top Shelf for Middle School Readers
• 2012 Pennsyvania Young Readers' Choice List
• 2012 Tennessee's Volunteer State Award Finalist
• 2014 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award finalist
• 2013 Maine Student Book Award finalist
• 2014 Evergreen Young Adult Book Award finalist
• 2014 South Carolina Book Award finalist

 

Waiting for the Magic

Waiting for the Magic

By Patricia MacLachlan

MacLachlan, Patricia, and Amy June Bates. Waiting for the magic. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012.

William and Elinor become upset when their father takes off.  They don't know if and when he will be back.  Mom decides to take them to the animal shelter and ends up getting all the animals, four dogs and a cat.  No one wanted to leave one of the animals behind.  Elinor talks to the animals and dresses up Lula, the cat.  All four dogs, Bryn, Bitty, Neo, and Grace, protect the family.  Elinor can hear the animals talk and keeps telling her brother William that magic is real.  When Dad comes home, it takes the entire family working together to forgive and move on while waiting for the magic.  

MacLachlan tells a fun story of how animals can talk and everything will be OK if you just believe in the magic.  Bates' illustrations bring all of the characters to life giving the reader a vision of what each animal and character may look like.  Each of the animals has its own personality that is conveyed through the various conversations each of them has with Elinor or themselves.  This is a story of a family coming together to beat all odds and find the magic.

"Newbery Medalist MacLachlan tackles the familiar yet always heart-wrenching subject of parental separation in her venerable spare and moving style.... The characters are individualistic, believable, and likable, and the impulsive acquisition and heartwarming presence of the animals suggest an affecting work of realistic fiction."

--Publishers Weekly

"MacLachlan writes with simplicity and limpid clarity, acknowledging strong emotions evoked by the father’s departure and depicting the events that follow with sensitivity and bits of humor."--Booklist  

"The spare prose, in William’s authentic voice, conveys pathos and humor; the boy’s cautious observations and Papa’s earnest explanations are offset by Elinor’s droll one-liners and the dogs’ succinct comments. Deft characterization adds richness and depth to a deceptively simple narrative, and appealing charcoal pencil illustrations throughout reflect the action."--SLJ, starred review

"The combination of a fanciful plot and likable, honest, straightforward characters makes this a solid cross-genre work with lots of appeal. The animal voices add further interest, as the pets observe the emotions of the humans around them, particularly William, before the people are even aware of their own feelings. While this will obviously draw in fans of animal tales, it will also attract fans of realism willing to stretch."--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Wonder

Wonder

By R.J. Palacio

Palacio, R. J.. Wonder. Performed by Diana Steele, Nick Podehl, and Kate Rudd. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2012.


August (Auggie) Pullman is a young boy who was born with a facial deformity.  He has been home-schooled his entire life, until now.  He is entering the 5th grade and his parents feel it is time for him to experience public school. He struggles to make friends and get through the school year. 


This is a heartwarming story about life, friendship, bravery, and the beauty that comes with kindness.  Palacio breaks the book up into several parts and each part is told from the point of view of one of the characters.  The different performers and readers bring the characters to life.  Palacio  shows what it is like to be a 5th grader with a facial deformity.  His words not only bring out the cruelty and criticism of others but also the warmth and kindness that each of the characters bring out as well.  This book is beautifully written and will make you cry.

“Palacio makes it feel not only effortless but downright graceful, and by the stand-up-and-cheer conclusion, readers will be doing just that, and feeling as if they are part of this troubled but ultimately warm-hearted community.” -- Booklist, starred review

"Palacio has an exceptional knack for writing realistic conversation and describing the thoughts and emotions of the characters...A well-written, thought-provoking book." -- School Library journal, starred review

“A memorable story of kindness, courage and wonder.” -- Kirkus, starred review

“Few first novels pack more of a punch: it's a rare story with the power to open eyes--and hearts--to what it's like to be singled out for a difference you can't control, when all you want is to be just another face in the crowd.” -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

Awards and honors:
#1 New York Times bestseller
A School Library Journal Best of Children's Books 2012
A Publishers Weekly Best of Children's Books 2012
A Kirkus Reviews Best of Children's Books 2012
A Booklist Best of Children's Books 2012

Giants Beware!

Giants Beware!

By Rafael Rosado and Jorge Aguirre

Aguirre, Jorge, and Rafael Rosado. Giants beware!. New York: First Second, 2012. 

Claudette is a young girl who's biggest desire is to slay giants, just as her father did.  The town of Mont Petit Pierre has a story of a giant that eats baby feet.  She laughs at the story and decides to go out and slay the giant.  She cons her best friend Marie and her little brother Gaston into going with her on this quest.  All Marie wants to do is become a princess, and all Gaston wants to do is be a chef. Together, the three little heroes take off on a quest and find surprises at every turn. 

This graphic novel is a great story of truth and honor.  All of our heroes have fears that need to be overcome.  Rosado and Aguirre tell Claudette's story through colorful graphics and words.  This is an enchanting tale with many twists and turns along the way.

The One and Only Ivan

The One and Only Ivan

By Katherine Applegate

Applegate, Katherine, and Patricia Castelao. The one and only Ivan. Performed by Adam Grupper. New York: Harper, 2012.


Ivan is a gorilla that lives alone in a mall.  His only friends are the other animals at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, Stella the elephant and Bob the stray dog.  Ivan dreams of art and loves to watch TV.  When a baby elephant Ruby arrives, she brings change. Ivan sees his art in a different way and decides to help Ruby who was taken from her family. 


This story is based on a real event of a gorilla that lived alone for 28 years. Katherine Applegate weaves a beautiful tale together of friendship, heartbreak, and freedom. Adam Grupper's performance is outstanding.  He brings Ivan to life.  Each voice he gives the different characters takes the reader further into the story.  Between Applegate’s words on the page and Grupper’s interpretation of each character, Ivan’s story of survival touches the heart.

 

"How Ivan confronts his harrowing past yet stays true to his nature exemplifies everything youngsters need to know about courage.” -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“The characters will capture readers’ hearts and never let go.  A must-have.” -- School Library Journal, starred review

 Awards and Honors:

·         School Library Journal Best of Children's Books 2012

·         Kirkus Reviews Best of Children's Books 2012

·         Amazon 2012 Best Books of the Year, Middle Grade

·         Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2012

·         New York Public Library 100 Books for Reading and Sharing, 2012

·         Cybils shortlist, 2012 middle grade fantasy (Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards)

·         2012 Nerdies Book Award, middle grade fiction

·         Newbery Medal Winner 2013

 

Bake Sale

Bake Sale

by Sara Varon

Varon, Sara. Bake Sale. New York: First Second, 2011.

What would you do to raise money for something you really wanted?   Eggplant and Cupcake are best friends. We follow Cupcake through his daily routines.  Eggplant tells Cupcake about going to visit her Aunt in Turkey.  Cupcake finds out that Eggplant's Aunt knows Turkish Delight, his idol. Eggplant invites Cupcake to join her on the trip.  Cupcake does everything he can to raise the money to go to Turkey with Eggplant.  

Varon writes another fantastic graphic novel that keeps you entertained throughout the entire story.  The illustrations keep the story flowing. Bake Sale is a fun read with a  tasty ending.  Varon also provides all the recipes that Cupcake makes throughout the story. What a fun way to  read and create!

"Tender, funny, and wise." -- Publisher's Weekly, starred review
"Invested with true emotion." -- Booklist, starred review
"By turns funny and poignant...it will stay with readers long after they put it down." -- School Library Journal, starred review

10 Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break

10 Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break if You Want to Survive the School Bus

By John Grandits

Grandits, John. 10 Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break If You Want to Survive the School Bus. Boston: Clarion Books, 2011.

Little Kyle is riding the bus for the first time.  His big brother James gives him a list of ten rules to follow in order to survive the school bus.  Through his ride on the bus, he manages to break them all.  Kyle discovers that his big brother isn't always right.  Grandits writes an exciting tale about riding the bus to school for the first time.  Michael Allen Austin's illustrations provide humor and detail to everything Kyle experiences on his first ride on the bus to school.  

"Worthy of being shelved next to Jon Scieszka’s funniest."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review 

"The large, full-page acrylic illustrations constantly shift perspectives and points of view, adding energy, vivacity, and animation... Seasoned bus riders, and anyone who has been misguided by an older sibling’s advice, will certainly enjoy this outrageously humorous, well-told story."—School Library Journal, starred review

Barnum's Bones

Barnum's Bones

By Tracey Fern

Fern, Tracey. Barnum's Bones: How Barnum Brown Discovered the Most Famous Dinosaur in the World. New York: Maragret Ferguson Books, 2012.

Barnum Brown was born to be someone special.  From a young age he loved fossils.  He spent his life searching for new and interesting things.  When he uncovers a new species of dinosaur, his life changes forever.  Fern creates a world full of dinosaur bones and exploration.  Her words, along with the beautiful illustrations of Boris Kulikov, bring life to Barnum's discovery of the T. Rex. 

“T. rex lovers will gobble it up, and seekers of easy biographies will be hot on their heels.” -- School Library Journal, starred

“Fern fills her text with all the salient facts but uses a breezy, humorous, awestruck voice that strikes just the right tone in telling the story of this fascinating, quirky scientist.” -- Kirkus, starred 

“…truly breathtaking. This will captivate the masses of kids whose jaws drop in the presence of hulking fossils.”--Booklist, starred

Looking at Lincoln

Looking at Lincoln

By Maira Kalman

Kalman, Maira. Looking at Lincoln. New York: Nancy Paulsen Books, 2012.

This is the story of a little girl who is walking through the park and sees a man that looks familiar.  She realizes he looks like Abraham Lincoln and decides to go to the library to learn more about him.  From the perspective of the little girl, she talks about Lincoln's life and some of the great things he accomplished.  Kalman writes a sweet story that young children can read and appreciate. The illustrations provide a great look into the life of President Abraham Lincoln through the eyes of a child.  

"Kalman's fond and bittersweet account of our lanky 16th president evokes both a schoolgirl crush and a Yankee's steely, sorrowful perspective on the price of freedom. . . . Rather than pen a textbook profile, Kalman portrays heartfelt admiration through poignant imagery." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Appealingly childlike. . . . Kalman's artwork is the main attraction here, with appealing naive illustrations done in gouache. Each page offers visual treats in a Matisse-like palette." -- Kirkus Reviews

Balloons Over Broadway

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade

by Melissa Sweet

Sweet, Melissa. Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2011.

Anthony "Tony" Sarg is the man who made the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade what it is today.  From the time he was a little boy, he loved to figure out how to make things move.  In 1924, Macy's asks him to help out with a parade to honor the immigrants who work for Macy's.  This was the parade that started it all.  Tony's ideas move from marionettes to the huge helium filled balloons that fill the skies every year during Thanksgiving.  This story is filled with beautiful illustrations which, with the words of Sweet, create a story that children of all ages will enjoy.  The author weaves together a beautiful story of the life of Tony Sarg. 

"A joyous piece of nonfiction that informs and delights in equal parts." -- Booklist, starred review
"This clever marriage of information and illustration soars high." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Awards and Honors:
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award
NCTE Orbis Pictus Award