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Books to Devour this Summer
By Holly E. Newton
School is ending and it's time to celebrate the summer season by reading for enjoyment and not because it's an assignment. Here is a list of my favorite great books reviewed during this past school year:
I'll begin with my favorite books geared for ages nine through adult. The Invention of Hugo Cabret, by Brian Selznick, is this year's Caldecott winner and a most creative book, with more than 500 pages and almost half of them are illustrated. The first 45 pages tell the story with illustrations — and no words! The ensuing pages connect words and pictures telling about an amazing invention and a poor orphan living during the 1930's in a Paris train station. The book pays homage to the silent films of that era.
One-Handed Catch by M. J. Auch, is a remarkable story about 11-year-old Norm, who lost his hand while helping at his father's meat market. Through hard work and determination, he succeeds at his dream of playing baseball. The story is loosely based on the author's husband and is truly inspirational!
The Trap, by John Smelcer, is a northern wilderness adventure about how Grandfather Albert gets caught in a wolf trap as the cold weather worsens and his life-threatening predicament turns into days of misery. This is an adventure story that you won't put down until you get to the very end!
The Legend of Bass Reeves, by Gary Paulsen, is based on a largely unknown hero. He was "the most successful federal marshal in the history of the United States " and lived from 1824 to 1910. He was honest, brave and African American.
The Mailbox, by Audrey Shafer, is an astonishing mystery about 12-year-old Gabe, who has left the foster home and gone to live with his estranged uncle. He has finally found a home he loves, but his uncle suddenly dies. What will he do now? And will he have to go back to foster care? The mystery lies in the delivery of unmarked letters that help resolve his crisis.
Yellow Star, by Jennifer Roy, is a story that needs to be told to all generations. The author gently relates her aunt's story about her experience as a Jew in one of the worst concentration camps in Poland during World War II. The story is told through the eyes of a child and helps soften one of the worst crimes against humanity in history!
The Candy Shop War, by Brandon Mull, is a story about Nate, a fifth grader, and his three friends as they enter a candy store and soon discover that it's filled with magic candy. The mystery that ensues will captivate you clear to the end.
The Many Rides of Paul Revere, by James Cross Giblin, is a fascinating biography about this famous American. Many Americans know about his famous ride that started the Revolutionary War. But what few know is that he actually rode several more times throughout the war to inform troops about oncoming opposition — risking his life the entire time. There are many photos, maps and documents throughout the book.
The Missing: Found, by Margaret Peterson Haddix, is an amazing story full of mystery, intrigue and suspense. A new ticket agent just witnessed an unscheduled airplane pull up to the gate. Why had no one spotted it on the radar screen? And now, as she approaches the plane to greet the passengers, she sees no pilots. But what she sees as she boards the plane will keep you reading to the end.
We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball, written and beautifully painted by Kadir Nelson, will undoubtedly be in the running for next year's Caldecott award. The pictures are breathtaking, and they fill the pages. This oversized picture book is filled with the history of the African American Baseball League and the segregation and discrimination that these little known heroes of the sport endured.
The rest of the books are picture books and are good for all ages:
The Cemetery Keepers of Gettysburg, by Linda Oatman High, and beautifully painted by Laura Francesca Fillipucci, is based on the cemetery keepers who buried the dead in the Gettysburg area.
Dadblamed Union Army Cow, by Susan Fletcher, and painted by Kimberly Bulcken Root, is another story based on a true account about a cow that follows her soldier into the Civil War. The soldier soon learns that the cow offers more than just companionship.
600 Black Spots, by David A. Carter, is a rare look inside a brilliant pop-up artist's most brilliant display. I've never seen anything like his pop-up books, and this one is no disappointment.
The Story of Roy Campanella, by David A. Adler, and beautifully painted by Gordon C. James, is about this inspiring hall-of-famer and how he became the first African-American catcher in the major leagues. Even when an auto accident left him as a paraplegic at the height of his career, he continued his positive outlook on life and in helping others.
Are You Quite Polite? Silly Dilly Manners Songs, by Alan Katz and David Catrow, is a hilarious and unique poetry book where new poems are put to familiar songs.
Phooey!, by Marc Rosenthal, has a boy complaining that nothing ever happens, but he's not seeing all of the events happening around him. This is hilarious and clever.
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