With the holidays quickly approaching many families have begun decorating their homes, shopping for presents and making plans for the new year. Two important presents teachers give their students each year are a book filled classroom and the love of reading. In theses last few weeks of school continue sharing the gift of books by reading aloud a title from this list. The International Reading Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) wishes everyone a happy holiday!

GRADES K-3

Alko, Selina. (2012). Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Young Sadie launches the family holiday season with her declaration, “I am a mix of two traditions.” In simple text but vivid and playful gouache, collage and colored pencil illustrations the author describes how this household celebrates Christmas and Hanukkah. Father is Christian and mother is Jewish, yet the reader will find dad making latkes (for Santa, no less!) and kugel dressing for turkey dinner. He hangs candy canes from the menorah on the mantel. As relatives arrive and dinner is served, the extended family share stories about holiday traditions. This unique family situation provides a great conversation starter for those interested in a truly multicultural look at the holidays. Learn more about the author and her books at her website.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Andreasen, Dan. (2012). The twelve days of Christmas. Mankato, MN.: Sleeping Bear Press.

Though there are numerous book versions of this traditional Christmas song, author/artist Dan Andreasen has created a new volume specifically intended for young readers. A baby partridge begins the story song and each day a new cast of characters arrives illustrated with playful animal characters that prove to overwhelm the young partridge. Funny-looking turtledoves, cats that are milkmaids, rabbits performing as dancing ladies and tortoises banging on drums start the mayhem. Though the words remain the same, this is a fresh look at a traditional English carol for young readers counting the days toward the Christmas holiday.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Black, Birdie. (2012). Just right for Christmas. Illus. by Rosalind Beardshaw. New York: Nosy Crow Publisher/Candlewick.

For teachers looking for a read aloud about the joy of giving, this new book from Birdie Black is just that right book including repeating phrases that young readers will want to join in with the teacher, especially “That cloth is so red and soft and Christmassy!” This phrase opens the book as the king strolls through the market on Christmas Eve and sees a bolt of red cloth that he knows is just right for a grand cloak for his daughter. When the king’s seamstresses finish the cloak, they put the scraps outside the back door. The kitchen maid walks by and sees the discarded red scraps and she immediately decides to make a jacket for her ma. When she discards the scraps, along comes a badger who sees that he can make a hat for his pa; then a squirrel gathers the scraps to make gloves for his wife; and from the last bits of red cloth a mouse makes a beautiful red scarf for her son. The final pages bring all the characters from the book together at the ice skating rink and readers will see all the red gifts sported around the ice rink. The mixed media illustrations use cloth and patterns and sewing items that add a touch of homespun storytelling to the story. Pair this with Simms Taback’s Caldecott winner, Joseph Had a Little Overcoat. A quick book talk of this book can be found at YouTube.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Bryan, Ashley. (2012). Who built the stable?; a nativity poem. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Told in rhymed couplets and illustrated with the brilliantly familiar artwork of Ashley Bryan, this story of the nativity brings new thought to the original story of Christmas. The narrator is a young boy apprenticed to his father and training to be a carpenter. When Mary and Joseph arrive in Bethlehem, the young apprentice invites them to stay in the stable. As Ashley Bryan was traveling in an open Jeep across Africa, the bumpy terrain reminded him of the bumpy journey Mary made all those years ago to Bethlehem. Throughout this new book, Bryan has illustrated the pictures with a strong African influence including background pictures of a giraffe, a zebra, a monkey, and an African drummer. Some observers might question these artistic details, but it brings universality to this glorious birth. After the young carpenter boy has cared for Mary and Joseph’s comforts for the coming night, he greets them in the morning and meets the new babe. He proclaims that this child will also be a carpenter and a shepherd. This vibrant new book brings a new slant to the Biblical version as young readers enjoy the story told in rich language with beautiful illustrations. This would make an excellent family story or gift for Christmas. Listen to a podcast on the illustrations of Ashley Bryan. 

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Carpenter, Tad. (2012). Sad Santa. New York: Sterling Children’s Books.

It is December 26, and Santa is sad. The presents are open, the cookies are eaten, and everyone is forgetting about Santa. He has the blues. Mrs. Claus tries to cheer him up and suggests going on a beach vacation but this doesn’t work as he just doesn’t feel wanted or needed any longer. Then, one day, a letter arrives from a young boy who is starting on his Christmas list for next year. He is asking for gifts for his brother and his parents. Santa’s enthusiasm returns and he heads for the North Pole to begin the new season’s extra-special gifts. Though he is back to work, the end of the book concludes with Santa’s thought about sharing and the spirit of giving and caring every day of the year. The author got the idea for this book after his recent marriage. The planning of the wedding took months and months and then was over so quickly, it made him think of Christmas in the same way. Enjoy the website dedicated to this book.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Kelleher, Kathie. (2012). The night before Christmas, deep under the sea. Illus. by Dan Andreasen. New York: Holiday House.

For those collectors of all the parodies and varieties of Clement Moore’s poem, “The Night Before Christmas,” here is a new addition/edition. Narrated by a jolly old lobster, readers will find the undersea marine setting a humorous touch to the traditional poem. Mermaids replace peeking children in this tale of underwater Christmas. When Santa finally arrives, readers will see that he is a blue walrus and sea horses with their own marine names pull the conch-shell sleigh. Using oil and digital artwork the illustrations are often double page spreads that add a luminescence for underwater effect in addition to humorously supporting the text that stays admiringly close to Moore’s original.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Matteson, George, & Ursone, Adele. (2012). The Christmas tugboat: How the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree came to New York City. Illus. by James Ransome. Boston/New York: Houghton Mifflin Books/Clarion Books.

Many young readers will cherish this book that explains how the huge Christmas tree that graces New York City's Rockefeller Center at Christmas arrives at its destination. Although the story does not cover the selection and the cutting of the tree chosen for this honor, it describes its watery journey along the Hudson River. Based on their own experiences, the authors relate how one family ventures out in a tugboat along the river to guide the tree to its rightful place of honor. The story highlights family love and how the three family members take note of everything along their path while the acrylic illustrations paint the city and its surroundings in eye-catching style, making the route back to NYC seem almost like a parade attended by passengers in boats. Although many readers will be familiar with the lighting of the tree at the Rockefeller Center, few of them will have considered how the tree would be transported. This is a perfect read aloud as the holiday season draws nigh. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Patricelli, Leslie. (2012). Fa la la. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

As is often the case for little ones, Baby is beyond excited as Christmas approaches. Eager for Christmas to come, he seizes every chance to get involved in the festivities, even draping tinsel and lights around himself while his parents attempt to decorate the tree. Parents reading this board book to their own little ones will smile at the less-than-desirable but heartfelt presents that Baby makes for his own parents since they may have received similar gifts themselves. It's all lots of fun, accompanied by vividly-hued acrylic illustrations, and Baby's irrepressible joy for life. Readers will chortle as Baby belts out Christmas carols in a decidedly off key fashion to the annoyance of the family's pets who seek solace from the noise. It’s a good thing the holiday comes only once a year.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Schuette, Sara L. (2012). A Christmas cookbook; simple recipes for kids. Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.

Christmas also means cooking! This cookbook is especially designed for young children to enjoy as the subtitle indicates: simple recipes for kids. Large print, simple step-by-step instructions, and color photographs makes this an ideal Christmas cookbook for young readers. Starting with an introduction on Festive Foods that provides a metric conversion chart, kitchen tools and techniques (crush, drizzle, fold, measure, spread, sprinkle, stir, toss) recipes for snacks and drinks will make apprentice child cooks proud of the kitchen products they produce. Recipes include: North Pole Pie, Blitzen’s Bagels, Hawaiian Snowball Salad, Santa’s Salsa Rolls, Stuffed Sleigh Sammies, and of course, Mrs. Claus Cookies and a Popcorn Garland. A glossary and index help with definitions of specific cooking terms. Yummy! Good news for Santas everywhere!

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Whelan, Gloria. (2012). Smudge and the book of mistakes; a Christmas story. Illus. by Stephen Costanza. Mankato, MN: Sleeping Bear Press.

Fifteen-year-old Cuthbert is sent to live at the monastery of St. Ambrose on the Irish island of Moracrrick. Living in the Middle Ages and small for his age, his father thinks Cuthbert will never be a warrior and the life of a monk is more suited to him. When he is assigned to the scriptorium to learn the art of writing and creating illuminated letters, Brother Cuthbert is delighted. He loves writing and creating the beautiful letters, though most of the time he is a bit sloppy and quickly earns the nickname “Smudge.” A special project is started at the monastery and is designed to bring fame to the church but due to a mistake in assignments, Cuthbert is selected over the best writer/calligrapher at St. Ambrose to be the illuminator of the Christmas story project. Smudge?? Brother Gregory lends Brother Cuthbert guidance and confidence that he can, indeed, complete this project. Through hard work, diligence and many hours of practice, Cuthbert works his way through this momentous task. When a mistake at the very end of the manuscript threatens to completion of the project. Brother Gregory shows Cuthbert how to turn a mistake into something creative and beautiful. Check out "5 Questions With... Gloria Whelan" on the Engage blog. Teachers might like to try teaching students to practice making an illuminated letter.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

GRADES 4-6

Kalz, Jill. (2012). Christmas chaos: Hidden picture puzzles. Illus. by James Yamasaki. Mankato, MN: Heinemann/Picture Window Books.

Fourteen puzzles created around a holiday theme give readers a chance to test their patience and enhance their visual literacy and puzzle-solving skills as they try to locate various hard-to-find objects such as a rocking horse, a candy cane, and mistletoe, among others. Although finding them might seem easy, some of the puzzles require combing over the images slowly and patiently several times since the colors blend together. This entertaining book will keep young readers busy as they try to spot all the objects, but don’t be surprised if they ask older readers for some help. Despite the book's title, it also features puzzles about Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's as well as a puzzle about the winter season. Many of the pages feature friendly figures enjoying the lighted houses and ice sculptures in their neighborhood as well as standing in line to visit Santa Claus. Successful puzzle solvers can return to the puzzles to look for even more objects, including a cupcake, a mermaid, and a lizard, of all things. While reading this book is great fun, looking at the multi-hued pictures for too long can be headache-inducing.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

These reviews are submitted by members of the International Reading Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) and are published weekly on Reading Today Online. 

Across our country this week we will honor the veterans of wars faced by our nation.

Sadly, children today are surrounded by war. Some are experiencing it first hand in their own front yards. Others are escaping it and become refugees from war. Others have parents who are serving in countries to protect and defend peoples of the world who are in the throes of war. How children are exposed to war and conflict during their formative years can effect the ways they think about tolerance and peace as adults. This includes the type of decisions they make toward issues of diversity. As teachers look for lessons and resources to teach conflict resolution and peacemaking the suggested books below might offer some helpful ideas for children and teachers. The books discussed this week by the reviewers from the International Reading Association's Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) deal with various aspects of war, refugees, immigration, conflict, acceptance, tolerance and peace.

ReadWriteThink offers a collection of ideas and lesson plans about war and peace. Blogger Cynthia Leitich Smith has collected a list of resources that will be helpful to teachers.

GRADES K-3

Biden, Jill. (2012). Don’t forget, God bless our troops. Illus. by Raúl Colón. New York: Simon & Schuster.

This picture book begins with a note from Jill Biden noting that it is based on her family, but represents the experience of thousands of military families. The first illustration highlights Colón’s watercolor and colored pencil illustrations, showing a family hugging and saying goodbye to Daddy. Natalie asks, “Does Daddy really have to go?” (unpaginated). Mom explains that soldiers have to do hard things sometimes. The book then moves through the different seasons showing Natalie thinking about her father and wondering how he is doing. Throughout is her mantra, “Be brave, Natalie” (unpaginated). During Thanksgiving Natalie pulls the wishbone and makes a wish for her dad. In the winter she makes a snowman and puts an army cap on top of the head—a snow soldier. When summer comes Natalie can’t jump into the swimming pool. Mom suggests that she pretend she is swimming to Daddy. In conclusion, the author gives more information about the military and how we can help military families.

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

Cole, Henry. (2012). Unspoken: A story from the Underground Railroad. New York: Scholastic.

Without a word, this powerful picture book reveals one girl’s struggle between doing the right thing and possibly endangering her family or turning her back on someone in dire need. Stunning in its simplicity and because of what it does not say, the title forces readers to think and fill in the blanks as they turn its pages. While a family ekes out a living on its farm during the Civil War, soldiers ride through a rural part of Virginia. When a young farm girl discovers a runaway slave hiding in her family's barn, she must decide what to do. Telling no one, she brings food to the barn, and then later, goes to warn the fugitive about the slave catchers looking for him. Reading this title more than once will help young readers notice more details each time; for instance, a quilt with a star pattern hangs over a rail fence on the dedication page, an indication that the house behind it is a safe house on the passage north. The graphite illustrations show the girl's initial shock at discovering someone hidden among the crops stored in the barn. The eyes of the runaway are particularly haunting when considered against the girl’s cautiousness in slipping from her house to the barn and back again to offer help. The back matter includes a note from the author about how he came to tell this particular story. Pair this title with Shawn W. Evans's Underground (Roaring Brook Press, 2011) or Jacqueline Woodson’s Show Way (Putnam, 2005) for an introduction to the Underground Railroad.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Thompson, Lauren. (2012). The forgiveness garden. Illus. by Christy Hale. New York: Feiwel and Friends/Macmillan.

The author was inspired to write this story based on the real Forgiveness Garden created in Beirut, Lebanon, after the Lebanese Civil Wars ending in 1990. In Thompson’s story, the book opens with a picture of a stream dividing two villages that had hated each other for a very long time. The villages are named Vayan and Gante that the author explains in an introductory note that the names are from ancient Sanskrit meaning “us” and “them.” Angry faces and words were hurled back and forth until one violent incident takes place when a young boy, Karune throws a rock across the stream and hits Sama on the head and seriously injures her, leaving an ugly scar. When the villagers capture Karune they tell Sama to throw a rock and hit him back. But she refuses. It is time to forgive, Kama (Sanskrit for “forgiveness”) says. She tells everyone that we should build a garden of forgiveness and places the rock on a piece of ground to begin the process. At first, everyone is reluctant and questions how this can ever take place. Karune (Sanskrit for “kindness”) stays apart and is not convinced at first. Slowly and even somewhat reluctantly both villages begin to build the garden. For more of the back story, read this interview with the author in The Kirkus Newsletter, or learn more about the Forgive to Give project that inspired this book.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Trottier, Maxine. (2012). The walking stick. Markham, Ontario, Canada: Fitzhenry & Whiteside.

Van, a young Vietnamese boy, finds a stick near a huge teak tree. Van takes the stick to the nearby Buddhist temple where his uncle is a monk. His uncle reworks the wood into a brass-tipped walking stick and tells Van it will guide him and always bring him safely home. With his blessed stick it becomes Van’s talisman for the rest of his life. As war comes to Vietnam, Van uses his stick to lead his family to escape the ravages of war and to a new life across the ocean. Years later, on longs walks with his granddaughter, Van describes the country of his birth. His granddaughter decided to travel to Vietnam and takes the precious stick with her. When she comes to a Buddhist temple, she leaves the stick and so it has returned home. Bold colors and expressionistic illustrations bring life to the story.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Wilbur, Helen. (2010). Lily’s victory garden. Illus. by Robert Steele. Ann Arbor, MI: Sleeping Bear Press.

When Lily is considered too young to qualify for a Victory Garden during WWII, the determined girl takes things into her own hands and approaches a neighbor who has a piece of land that isn’t being used. He agrees but does so reluctantly and with the admonition not to disturb his wife who is in mourning over the loss of her son to the war efforts. With barely serviceable tools, Lily works hard to turn the soil and plant the seeds and later, to tend the plants as they come up. As she nurtures her garden, the reclusive Mrs. Bishop on whose land the plants are thriving starts paying attention to Lily and her careful tending of the garden. Eventually, the woman ends up helping Lily as she slowly starts to heal and learn to laugh and embrace life along with Lily and her dog Thunder. The story and brightly colored illustrations will tug at the heart while reminding readers of the universal need for caring and compassion. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

GRADES 4-6

Bingham, Jane. (2011). War stories: Animal heroes. Mankato, MN: Heinemann Educational Books/Raintree.

Young readers may be surprised to learn that even animals have played important roles during wartime. Although the author romanticizes their contributions in her account, she also includes the sobering statistic that 8 million horses died during WWI. Readers will be pleased to learn about the Animals in War Memorial in London that celebrates the contributions of animals during war. They will enjoy reading about the many different types of animals that have helped humans as they waged war and tried to stay alive. The book contains vignettes about Napoleon’s dependable horse Marengo, who carried him safely through many war campaigns; a donkey named Duffy who carried the wounded from the battlefield during WWI; Sallie, a dog who refused to leave the sides of wounded Union soldiers after the Battle of Gettysburg; Cher Ami, a brave messenger pigeon; Gander, a courageous canine who sacrificed herself by catching a grenade, thus saving part of her Canadian regiment during WWII; and even the aptly-named HeroRATS that have been trained to locate land mines in Africa. Filled with photographs of many of the heroic animals and anecdotes about farm horses that were donated to the war effort during WWI, this nonfiction title will leave readers humbled by these loyal creatures and grateful that some of the animals received honors for their service while also leading to questions about the morality of using animals during times of war. These true stories will tug at just about anyone's heartstrings. For more stories about courageous canines, see 5 Questions With... Dorothy Hinshaw Patent (DOGS ON DUTY) on the Engage blog. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Delaunois, Angele. (2011). The little yellow bottle. Illus. by Christine Delezenne. Second Story Press. (Translated from the French by Barbara Creary)

Told as a first-person narrative, young Marwa speaks of the friendship she has with Ahmad, though their country is unnamed. They enjoy playing soccer with their friends and Ahmad is the best goalkeeper on the team. The children know there is wars in their country but continue to play their games when they can. One day the skies darken and airplanes fly overhead and bombs are dropped that don’t explode. These bombs lay in wait. One day when Marwa and Ahmad are kicking the soccer ball about, Ahmad discovers a little yellow bottle. It explodes and their worlds go dark. Marwa is seriously injured but recovers within weeks. Unfortunately, Ahmad loses an arm and a leg. As he deals with his sadness, a victim of another war and bombing comes to show him how to live with his disability and offers hope for the future. This stark and spare picture book carries a somber story and is probably best used with older students as teachers try to teach about living with the aftermath of war. The book is an IBBY International Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities, 2011. The book trailer on the publisher’s website contains almost the entire book and could be used an opening for reading the book. Teachers might also like to read current information from Handicap International. 

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Fein, Eric. (2012). Weapons, gear, and uniforms of the Civil War. Chicago: Capstone Press/Heinemann.

Filled with interesting tidbits about the Civil War with a focus on the weapons, gear, and uniforms of the military forces on both sides, this title is a Civil War buff’s treasure trove. After a brief introduction to the conflict and a map showing the states involved in the war, the author describes the tools of warfare used during the war between the North and the South, detailing the things the men carried and what they wore. There are even descriptions and photographs of mess kits and Civil War food. Examining the light and heavy weapons used by both sides makes it easy to see how inferior some of the Southern weapons were and how close to their opponents the soldiers on both sides would need to be in order to fight effectively. The Gatling gun with its ability to fire 200 rounds per minute certainly must have been a frighteningly effective weapon for its time period. The book contains interesting information about little known aspects of war such as identity discs, created by jewelers to identify the soldiers.  Since the army on both sides did not issue dog tags for identification purposes, other men simply wrote their names on paper that they stuck in their pockets. Although war ultimately results in deaths, few of us have considered carefully exactly what weapons have been used to cause those deaths. Readers will be, by turns, fascinated and horrified by the interesting details about war provided in this book. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Fitzgerald, Stephanie. (2012). The split history of the Civil War: A perspectives flip book. Chicago: Compass Point Books/Heinemann.

The Civil War divided the nation, sometimes separating families and even sections of states as the nation was divided over the issue of slavery. Like many things in life, one’s perspective on the war and its battles often had much to do with which side you were on, as this unique book shows. From one side of the book, the author offers the Union perspective, describing the attempts of generals and President Lincoln to end the Southern rebellion. When readers flip the book over, they will be able to read the Confederates' points of view on the same war years and battles. Interestingly, even the battles themselves often had two different names with Union forces naming them after nearby rivers and the Confederates naming them after local crossing points. Filled with illustrations and photographs and interesting descriptions of war between a nation’s two deeply-divided sides, this short book will appeal to anyone with the slightest interest in the Civil War. It contains interesting notes such as the fact that the citizens of Vicksburg, Mississippi, a Southern stronghold, did not celebrate the Fourth of July again until the 1940s since that was the day the city surrendered to the Yankees after a long siege during which many citizens were forced to eat rats and mules. This is history at its liveliest—and most fascinating. 

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Raatma, Lucia. (2012). The science of soldiers. North Mankato, MN: compass Point Books.

This is the perfect nonfiction text for kids who think they might want to join the military some day or for those interested in the life of a soldier. The main message is that science and technology are important in today’s military. The contents include chapters on science and soldiers, how soldiers train, what soldiers eat, what soldiers wear and carry, how wounded soldiers recover and how soldiers use technology. Scattered throughout are fact pages with additional information on the training that a ranger goes through or the face paint that a soldier wears. Children will be fascinated to learn how Kevlar body armor was created and how it protects soldiers’ chests and shoulders. Modern technology such as GPS navigation, PDAs and night vision goggles help soldiers position where an enemy is located and note sound waves from bullets to determine the type of weapon and caliber of the bullet. All of these play an important role in our military, helping save soldiers’ lives. Through science soldiers can fight longer, be more effective and stay safe, but a soldier will always need to rely on his/her strength, courage and instincts.

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

GRADES 5-8

Avi. (2012). Sophia’s war; a tale of the Revolution. New York: Beach Lane Books/ Simon & Schuster imprint.

The opening chapter of this book sets the tone at twelve-year-old Sophia Calderwood watches the hanging of Nathan Hale by the British in New York City, 1776.  British troops have occupied Manhattan and Sophia’s family has been forced to quarter British soldiers including the dashing young Lt. John Andre. Sophia starts an emotional journey as she is attracted to the handsome Lt. Andre but is frustrated the he will not help her find her imprisoned brother, William, a soldier for the revolution who went missing after the Battle of Brooklyn. Part II takes place a few years later when Sophia is asked to work as a maid in the home of General Henry Clinton but she is actually a spy for the Culper spy ring charged with gathering information against the British. It is in this position that she learns of the plot to capture West Point and her beloved Lt. Andre is involved as well as the traitorous Benedict Arnold.  Her infatuation with the young lieutenant makes it difficult for Sophia to turn against him. The author has included historical fact from fiction notes at the end of the book that help young readers understand the craft of writing historical fiction. Read more about the book from Avi’s blog. A reading guide is available at the publisher’s website.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Gonzalez, Christina Diaz. (2012). A thunderous whisper. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

The setting is World War II, but in Spain’s Basque country it is the Spanish Civil War. Twelve-year old Anetxu Largazabalaga, known as Ani, is the daughter of fish sellers. Her father has gone to war and she is left with her cruelly abusive mother who will not let her forget the sacrifices she is making to keep them alive. Smelling of fish all the time, she has no friends at school and is a lonely child until Mathias, a German Jew escaping from Berlin, becomes her friend. Mathias’ parents bought the local movie theater though it is a cover for the spy ring of which they are a part. Mathias and Ani are drawn into the spy business by delivering messages while making sardine delivers. The children are helping the British deliver supplies as they try to get through Franco’s blockade. And then the Germans bomb their small town of Guernica and this air raid brings death and devastation as a result. Ani and Mathias escape to a farm outside of town where they learn of other orphans of war. Gonzalez has written of a period that is little known in middle grade fiction with the Spanish Civil War set against the backdrop of the Holocaust of WWII. She has included historical notes at the end that will help understand this period in history. Read more on the author’s website. For more serious art students, teachers might like to recommend taking a look at Picasso’s most famous painting, “Guernica” (1937) that he painted based on the bombing of this Spanish town. 

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Moss, Marissa. (2012). A soldier’s secret; the incredible true story of Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War hero. New York: Amulet Books.

Sarah Emma Edmonds runs away from her abusive father who is trying to marry her off to a man who will be just like her father. As Sarah tells her first-person story in the 1860s, to be a woman alone is dangerous so she disguises herself and takes on the persona of a man and calls herself Frank Thompson. She works at several odd jobs until she finally decides to enlist in the Union Army of the Potomac. The army doesn’t take her at first because she looks too young, but as the war continues to rage she manages to get in the Union Army on her next try. She ends up being a field nurse and witnesses the devastation of battle that the author accurately describes; from amputations, filth, disease, lack of medicine and supplies and the raw bloody horrors of war. Throughout her tour of duty, Sarah is never discovered as a woman and her various experiences from being a nurse, a mail carrier, a soldier and a spy are written from the research the author took from letters, diaries and journals. The author has included a Civil War timeline, archival photographs, glossary and detailed notes on the period. She also includes a touch of romance as Sarah falls in love with a fellow nurse. Based on the real life of Sarah Emma Edmonds the author states she was the only female to receive a soldier’s pension after the war. Teachers might also enjoy using the author’s 2011 picture book about Sarah, Nurse, Soldier, Spy. Visit the author’s website for journaling tips and a discussion guide for this book or the publisher’s blog.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Pearsall, Shelley. (2012). Jump into the sky. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

At the end of WWII in 9145, thirteen-year-old Levi Battle finds himself being sent away from his Aunt Odella’s home in Chicago. Levi has been abandoned his whole life; first when his mother left him as a baby to pursue her music career, then by his grandmother when she dies, then his father joins the paratroopers and now his aunt is sending him back to his father who is station at Camp Mackall in North Carolina. When he arrives in Fayetteville, it is hot and he is thirsty. He walks into a little grocery story to buy a Coke and is confronted with a gun-toting white man who threatens him for apparently no reason. But Levi is being introduced to the Jim Crow South he had only heard of in Chicago. Now it was real. He ends up walking to the camp only to find that the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, the “triple nickels” and his father’s unit, have been ordered to Oregon. Thanks to a helpful, injured paratrooper who was left behind, Levi eventually makes his way to Oregon to be with his father. The paratroopers have been assigned to fight the fires that the Japanese balloon bombs are setting along the west coast. Pearsall has researched a little-known area of African American military history. She includes historical notes at the end of the book including the opportunity to interview one of the Triple Nickels to hear a first-hand account. Learn more about the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion and video at the Children’s War blog, or visit the author’s website for a teacher’s guide on the novel. More background can be found at the Triple Nickel website. 

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Preus, Margi. (2012). Shadow on the mountain. New York: Amulet Books.

The cover of this book states: “A novel inspired by the true adventures of a wartime spy.” It is 1940, and the Nazis have invaded Norway, a neutral country, under the guise of protecting them from British invasion. It is not long before the Hitler-directed intrusions and atrocities begin. Fourteen-year-old Espen and his his soccer-loving friends, are drawn into the occupation. Espen and his family are outraged at the political intrusion and Espen becomes involved with the underground Resistance movement, first as a courier on his bicycle delivering messages while his sister delivers ration cards to hungry Norwegians. Espen soon learns one of the difficulties of war is how people, especially your friends and their families, align themselves politically and the decisions and actions they take in support of the sides they choose. In Espen’s case, it means losing some of his childhood friendships. As the years go by Espen becomes more deeply involved in espionage and spy work. Skiing into Norway’s majestic mountains on dangerous spy missions create the action adventure part of this story based on the real life spy activity of Erling Storrusten. The author has included a great deal of back matter in this well researched novel. The end of the book includes extensive author notes, “Espen”, a timeline and an extensive bibliography. Read more about the back story and the real “potato spy” at the author’s website.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

GRADES 9-12

Kokie, E.M. (2012). Personal effects. New York: Candlewick.

It has been six months since the uniformed officers delivered the personal effects of TJ, who was Matt Foster’s older brother killed in Iraq. Matt, 17, is struggling not only with the war-time death of his brother but also his violent, former army sergeant father, in addition to the years earlier death of his bi-polar mother. His father has sealed away the boxes that the military delivered that day and Matt is feeling like he needs to touch those things to feel the closure for his brother. Angry, boiling with turmoil, resentful, Matt lashes out at school toward an anti-war supporting fellow student and beats him unmercifully. This leads to a suspension from school that gives Matt time alone at home. Though he has someone he can talk to and is fully supported by his best friend, Shauna, she is also causing conflict for Matt as to the budding feelings he has for her to be more than just a friend. When the military deliver another box of TJ’s personal effects, Matt opens them before his father has a chance to sequester these away. He discovers letters and an entire secret life of his brother that Matt had no idea existed. Based on the letters from someone named Celia, Matt decides to journey to Madison, Wisconsin, to deliver one letter from TJ that never got mailed. When he arrives at the home, the shock that he finds there opens his eyes to a number of situations and provides the new direction his own personal thoughts and decisions will be. This heart-wrenching story will resonate with readers long after the book is closed. Listen to an interview with this debut author on her website.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Mazer, Harry and Peter Lerangis. (2012). Somebody please tell me who I am. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Talented “Broadway” Ben Bright is headed for a career in the theater, with a quick tour in the army, or so he thinks. Though everyone sees Ben ready to pursue his theatrical career after high school, he feels a patriotic obligation to serve his country, against the wishes of family, friends, and fiancé. After basic training, he is immediately deployed to Iraq. In a very short chapter, Ben’s tank hits a mine and in the explosion he is seriously injured suffering severe brain damage. When he is shipped home, he has to relearn everything including people, memory, and language. This brief novel carries a big story as readers go through Ben’s arduous but somewhat hopeful recovery. However, the strain it puts on family and friends is the part of the book that becomes intense from his autistic brother Chris, his best friend Niko, his fiancé Ariela who is pulled into relationships with her friends at college, to the contemplation of divorce between his parents. The story is actually divided into three parts: before, during, and after Ben’s life in Iraq. This sparse, easy to read war novel, will be welcomed by older reluctant readers as well as readers who want to learn about the far-reaching consequences of war.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Schmidt, Gary D. (2012). What came from the stars. Boston/New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Clarion Books.

Stretching his literary muscles, the author takes readers on a familiar journey of recovery after the death of a loved one, in this case, the protagonist Tommy Pepper’s mother. However, even though the book contains similar elements to some of his earlier books, this one alternates between a storyline in Plymouth, Massachusetts and a planet far from earth where a battle rages between those who cherish art and those who rely on power. In a parallel move, sixth grader Tommy, his father, and his little sister are barely making it through their days when a realtor’s plans to build condominiums near their property opens the wounds of loss that have started to heal. After all, Tommy's mother loved their house and the beach nearby and would be mortified at the changes planned for the area. The two worlds collide when some of the citizens of Valorim (the other civilization far away) desperately cast out a necklace into the universe, and it happens to land in Tommy's lunch box. As others from that world try to enter his world, Tommy begins using unfamiliar vocabulary, and very strange things start to occur. Tommy must save the world on several fronts—preventing the destruction of the beachfront property and thwarting the interplanetary warriors who are headed for his town. Of course, as in all of Schmidt's books, there are heroes and villains and characters and events that break hearts. Readers might want to read the vocabulary list and the testament at the back before starting the book to make the story easier to understand.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

St. John, Warren. (2012). Outcasts united; the story of a refugee soccer team that changed a town. New York: Delacorte Press.

This book is the youth adaptation of St. John’s adult book, Outcasts United; an American town, a refugee team, and one woman’s quest to make a difference. (Spiegel & Grau, 2009) Luma Mufleh was a Jordanian immigrant who was educated in the United States and spoke flawless English. She was also a woman with a mission but in her youth she was not quite sure what that mission would be. Estranged from her wealthy family in Jordan and on her own in the United States, she floats after college seeking her place in life. As she settles in the Atlanta, Georgia, area she discovers the suburb community of Clarkston, outside Atlanta. Clarkston has become a refugee resettlement community for immigrants rescued by the U.N. High Commission for Refugees. When Mufleh sees them playing soccer, her own personal beloved sport, she sets out to learn more about these children. The book unfolds the background of these young children and the ravages of war in their homelands that they had to escape. Children from Afghanistan, Sudan, Congo, Liberia, Zaire, Kosovo, and more come together to play soccer and become known as the Fugees. Mufleh is a tough coach with tough rules that she insists they adhere to or they are off the team. As Mufleh gets to know the hard-working families, the multiple jobs they hold, the hopes for their children, she turns this soccer program into a safe place for kids in this community. This is the story of a coach and her players, exciting soccer moves and matchesalso the story of their lives and all that they endure to succeed, not only on the playing field but in life. For more back matter on the adult book, the refugees and the Fugees Family organization, lesson plans and other resources, visit the Outcasts United website or go directly to the Fugees’ website.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

These reviews are submitted by members of the International Reading Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) and are published weekly on Reading Today Online. The International Reading Association partners with the National Council of Teachers of English and Verizon Thinkfinity to produce ReadWriteThink.org, a website devoted to providing literacy instruction and interactive resources for grades K–12.

by Judith Hayn

Erlings, Fridrik. Fish in the Sky. Sommerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2012.

Adolescents have the same yearnings and issues no matter where they live in the world. Josh Stephenson is 13, and his teen world in a coastal Iceland city seems to be falling apart. He lives with his single mom and yearns for his dad’s love although Dad has moved to the countryside with his pregnant girlfriend. Dad has just sent his son a stuffed falcon for his birthday, and the bizarre gift adds to Josh’s confusion. His flirtatious 17-year-old cousin Trudy comes to live with them, and his bedroom is her corridor to the unlockable bathroom. Josh’s obsession with a lovely classmate and his fear of showering after gym class lead him to fake an excuse for missing school; his adventures on his own add to the reader’s enjoyment and empathy. Josh wants, like most other teenagers, to be accepted and not feel like that fish in the sky.

This is an appealing coming-of-age story that speaks to every teenage guy, plus a wealth of information for the teen girl seeking to understand those mysterious creatures. A light-hearted and deft emotional touch makes the book an entertaining and enlightening read. Erlings is a multi-talented Icelandic artist whose novel, recently translated into English, delineates with humor and poignancy that difficult journey from adolescence to manhood—one of the best reads out there for those 12 and up.

Dr. Judith A. Hayn is an associate professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

This article is part of a series from the Special Interest Group Network on Adolescent Literature (SIGNAL).

Election time is upon us and the news media is full of campaign issues. As children observe all that is happening with the omnipresent and various campaigns around the country, teachers who are looking for good books to help children understand the election process will find some new titles in this week’s selections from the International Reading Association's Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group. Teachers will appreciate the article in “Social Studies and the Young Learner” (September/October 2012) entitled “We Elect a President: Using Literature to Teach Decision-Making Skills.” (Obenchain and Pennington) ReadWriteThink offers the following lesson ideas about elections:

• November 6 is Election Day. Grades 3-12
• All About Elections. Grades K-5
• Voting! What’s It All About? Grades 3-5
• Propaganda Techniques in Literature and Online Political Ads. Grades 9-12

Also check out the Engage blog for "5 Questions with...Laurie Caulkhovan" who wrote I Grew Up to Be President (Scholastic, 2011) and "Putting Books to Work" featuring Rick Walton's I Need My Own Country (Bloomsbury USA, 2012).

GRADES K-3

Barnes, Peter and Cheryl Shaw Barnes. (2012). Woodrow for president: a tail of voting, campaigns, and elections. Washington, D.C.: Little Patriot Press.

In rhymed text and mouse puns and humor, the author uses simple language for young readers to learn about the process of campaigns and elections through the career of Woodrow G. Washingtail. As a young mouse, he decides to run for the position of mayor in his town. This is just the beginning of his political career as he then goes on to run for state senator, governor, and finally the “Big Cheese.” Simplistic watercolor illustrations depict Woodrow’s campaign trail. This book does not have detailed information about the election process but will give primary children a first glimpse at how candidates move up the ranks within the political arena. The publisher’s website offers a plethora of ideas to use with the book.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Bruel, Nick. (2012). Bad Kitty for president. New York: Roaring Brook Press/ Macmillan.

Kitty is fed up with all the strays in the neighborhood, which gives her the impetus to run for President of The Neighborhood Cat Coalition. She is especially delighted to learn how much power comes with the office. Old Kitty has been president for two terms and his tenure is up, so the timing is perfect for Kitty. With Nick Bruel’s signature humor from his previous Kitty books, and his splash of colored cartoon-like illustrations, young readers will enjoy watching Kitty embark on her campaign. The author has actually done a fact-filled job of explaining the election process including registering to vote, debating, and having a primary election. However, as Election Day is here readers will be surprised at who forgot to get registered to vote and Old Kitty’s absentee ballot may be the deciding vote! Teachers: check out the book trailer and downloadable extras at the Bad Kitty website, and read this Reading Today Online interview with Nick Bruel.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Clanton, Ben. (2012). Vote for me! Toronto, ON Canada: Kids Can Press.

During this last month, in the United States, we have been bombarded with political phone calls and political fliers in the mail. This funny picture book notes the craziness that leads up to an election where political candidates try to get our vote. Illustrated in patriotic colors with speech bubbles, Donkey and Elephant shout, “Vote for ME!” (unpaginated). Each animal shares why we should vote for them–either because they have a high rating in the polls or they are super cute. The other animal sarcastically remarks why we shouldn’t vote for their opponent. A tiny asterisk notes humorous statistics at the bottom of the page. Just like all political candidates, Donkey and Elephant state promises they probably will not be able to accomplish. The animals banter back and forth finding fault with each other, slinging insults. An astute reader or listener will notice small illustrations at the bottom of some of the pages introducing another character. A surprise ending closes the book. This would make a perfect read aloud for children to discuss elections—either within a school for student council and/or political offices. Teachers might like to introduce the book with the book trailer located at Vimeo or learn the back matter from the author at the Two Writing Teachers blog.

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

Englar, Mary. (2012). An illustrated timeline of U.S. presidents. Illus. by Len Epstein. Minneapolis, MN: Picture Window Books/Capstone.

Just exactly as the title indicates, this book is a beginner’s look at the chronology of the presidents of the United States. The very basic information about each president includes their years in office, birth and death dates, political party, fast facts and important events. Colorful cartoon-like illustrations make this appropriate for primary children’s first exposure to thinking about the chain of events from one president to the next. A very well done slide show on all the Presidents is available from the White House.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Parish, Herman. (2012). Amelia Bedelia’s first vote. Illus. by Lynne Avril. New York: HarperCollins/Greenwillow.

Amelia Bedelia finds it hard to slow down, especially when she’s excited, and she literally runs into the school principal, Mr. K, as she races through the hall. He agrees to consider changing some of the school policies based on the results of a classroom election in Amelia's class. Several suggestions are provided, and Amelia and her classmates are excited that they might have ice cream sandwiches or homework-free Wednesdays as the result of the election. When the vote ends in a tie, she and classmate Clay literally have a run-off on the school playground with Amelia hugging the building corners as she goes around them--literally hugging them after a classmate offers a suggestion for her to shave time off her turns around the building. It's all good fun, filled with Amelia taking everything literally, which provides plenty of chances for punning throughout the story.  Amelia’s teacher Miss Edwards and Mr. K are patient and willing to take the time to talk with their students and explain the importance of voting, even on a classroom level. Perhaps if more youngsters realize the importance of one vote, they'll diligently cast their ballots during local, state, and national elections. The illustrations capture the irrepressible nature of Amelia quite well.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

GRADES 4-6

Clark, Catherine. (2012). How not to run for president. New York: Egmont.

Twelve-year old middle schooler, Aidan Schroeckenbauer, has been selected to be part of an interview with the independent, third-party presidential candidate, Bettina Brandon, who is campaigning in his small Ohio town. Just as he is answering questions about more job opportunities a campaign sign swings loose and Aidan pushes Governor Brandon out of harm’s way. The press and YouTube have field day with this brave and selfless act and he gets tagged as The Clarinet Hero (since he plays in the middle school band). Ms. Brandon’s campaign advisors think it would be great publicity to invite Aidan on the campaign trail. He agrees and so begins his life in politics. The first person he needs to win over, however, is the Governor’s daughter, Emma, who is out to sabotage her mother’s election because she does NOT want to live in the White House. Eventually, Aidan and Emma become friends but young readers will get a look at what a campaign looks like on the inside. Some satire, some political jokes and lots of political jargon make this not only a fun read but also an introduction to the underside of politics. Teachers will enjoy the companion website and reading guide to go with this book.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Gherman, Beverly. (2012). First Mothers. Illus. by Julie Downing. Boston/New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Clarion.

Even though today’s social studies texts highlight some of the contributions of women and there have been several titles published about the nation’s First Ladies, the role of presidential mothers has only rarely been explored in books for children. This wonderfully informative collection of stories about First Mothers provides brief biographies of the mothers of future presidents, providing insight into the women who were most influential on the nation's presidents during their formative years. Starting with Martha Ball Washington, the mother of the Father of our Country, and ending with Stanley Ann Dunham, the mother of current President Barack Obama, the book provides background information about forty-five influential women about whom history books have largely remained silent. Still, each president had a mother whose story merits at least some attention. Abe Lincoln’s parentage is represented by two entries, one for his mother and one for his stepmother. Since very little is known about some of these First Mothers, the author provides brief comments accompanied by thought or conversation balloons representing what each woman might have said. Other, better-known First Mothers merit two pages of text. The watercolor and colored pencil illustrations effectively represent each woman in clothing, dress, and demeanor. Dates of birth and death and a descriptive title are provided for each of them. Interested readers will want to check out the bibliography in the book’s back matter in order to learn even more about these women. As the presidential election looms on the horizon, this is the perfect title to stimulate interest in our nation's history and the women whose personalities helped form the nation's leaders.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Gutman, Dan. (2012 edition). Election! A kid’s guide to picking our president. New York: Open Road Integrated Media.

Rather than a dry book full of facts, Dan Gutman has created a practical guide to the election process using a question and answer format with over 120 questions that kids have really asked. Within the answers, he goes into the history of how our electoral process actually came into being as we know it today. He explains the Electoral College vote in a way that kids can understand. This well researched, updated edition contains the humorous slant readers are used to from earlier Dan Gutman books. This provides a great vehicle for teachers or parents to discuss politics with their children and even explain why sometimes people say nasty things about the candidates. However, Gutman takes every opportunity to encourage children to learn about the candidates, sort out the information and to become responsible civic-minded citizens and informed voters. The author’s book and others are featured on the Kid Lit and Politics blog.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Jackson, Carolyn. (2012). The election book: The people pick a president. New York: Scholastic.

Since many Americans, young and old, have questions about how this nation elects its presidents, a reference book on elections is handy to have, especially at this time of year. In twelve short chapters, the book familiarizes readers with the process of presidential elections in the United States. It covers the roles and powers of the president as well as who can run for the nation’s highest office and provides information about campaigning for president, the conventions of political parties held to choose each party’s nominee, Election Day, the Electoral College, and even the swearing-in ceremony  for each new president. The text, updated from an earlier edition, includes information on the 2008 presidential campaign and the unique fundraising efforts of President Barack Obama’s campaign team. The roles of the media, the internet, and social media are also discussed. Several terms in the books, such as bipartisanship, proportional voting, and “soft” money, require further explanation that is provided through sidebars or in the glossary. This is a good book for class group projects on elections or civic history.

- Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

Sobel, Syl. (2012 edition). Presidential elections and other cool facts. Barron’s Educational Series.

Attorney, newspaper reporter and author, Syl Sobel has created a guidebook to the presidential elections. Chapter headings include: Who will lead the country?; The rules for electing the President; The electoral college; The Presidential campaign; What if something happens to the President? This format is designed to help children understand the entire process of electing a president, especially taking time to explain the Electoral College and why and how it came into existence. The book concludes with a glossary, resource guide and index and serves as a kind of textbook approach to the presidential elections. Listen to an interview with the author at the publisher’s website.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Townsend, Michael. (2012). Where do presidents come from? And other presidential stuff of super great importance. New York: Penguin/Dial.

Amid the bunnies, monkeys, and general silliness about politics and presidential campaigns that fill the pages of this graphic nonfiction title, readers will find plenty of great information about the presidency, elections, the electoral process, and snippets about each of the nation's presidents and even little-known facts about the White House. The book’s six chapters insure that readers know as much as they possibly can about their own civic responsibilities and the long road that leads to the presidency and living in the White House. Because the author uses a comic strip format, he is able to provide lots of information quickly and succinctly. The information is easy to digest too since the author has taken great pains to simplify as much as possible ideas that can be confusing for political novices. A perfect choice during this presidential election year, the book would also be useful in providing background for class discussions on eligibility requirements that must be met in order to run for president, the voting process itself, campaigning for the office of president, and suffrage for women and former slaves. By the book’s final page, readers know that presidents come from just about anywhere in the United States, but they all are elected in the same way, thanks to the foresight of the nation’s leaders. Teachers may be interested in having their students send a letter to the president of the United States at this address.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

GRADES 5-8

Rhatigan, Joe. (2012). White House kids: the perks, pleasures, problems and pratfalls of the Presidents’ children. Illus. by Jaemyung Shin. Imagine! Publishers.

This scrapbook looking book will appeal to a wide range of children and adults as the author used photographs, letters, interviews, notes, and all kinds of factual tidbits to reveal what it is like to be a child in the White House. In some cases, it can be lots of fun – a bowling alley in the basement and a chef to prepare favorite foods, but there is a down side as well. Living in the fishbowl existence of publicity due to the high profile job of being a U.S. President’s child and having the press, the secret service and the paparazzi surrounding you at all times can become tiresome. The author has highlighted some of the mischief, the mysteries, and the mayhem the White House kids have been a part of while living in the nation’s capitol. The book design is inviting with sidebars, fact boxes, illustrations, and photographs. Connect this book to the website First Kids which also has lesson ideas. 

- Karen Hildebrand – Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

These reviews are submitted by members of the International Reading Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) and are published weekly on Reading Today Online. The International Reading Association partners with the National Council of Teachers of English and Verizon Thinkfinity to produce ReadWriteThink.org, a website devoted to providing literacy instruction and interactive resources for grades K–12.

“Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble” is Shakespeare’s oft quoted line from Macbeth frequently heard this time of year. It sets the literary tone for the selection of books reviewed this week by the International Reading Association Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group. Children love scary stories and the thrill and chill of not knowing what will happen next. Scary stories can be funny or poetic or exciting, but every year new books come out to offer these safe scares for readers everywhere. As children grow into adult readers the Mystery/Thriller genre continues to be one of the most popular, so teachers can initiate the life-long reading journey with some of the new titles and ideas suggested this week.

ReadWriteThink offers podcasts about scary stories in Chat About Books or for older readers try “Thrills! Chills! Using Scary Stories to Motivate Students to Read.”

GRADES K-3

Bauer, Marion Dane. (2012). Halloween forest. Illus. by John Shelley. New York: Holiday House.

It’s Halloween night, and a brave trick-or-treater heads off to gather sweet loot. Along the way, he faces a most frightening collection of bones in the forest. Undaunted and determined, he marches through the book’s pages all the way up to a bone-laden house and demands and receives a mother lode of candy. Some of the pen-and-India ink and watercolor illustrations are particularly spooky, especially the one in which the forest's limbs turn into the fingers and arms of human skeletons and reach out to him, and even the roof thatch of the house he finds in the heart of the forest is formed from bones. Since the boy never seems to be frightened by the threatening forest, things turn out okay. While walking unconcernedly through a dark forest might not be recommended, sometimes facing fears leads to bountiful rewards, making the effort worthwhile.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Bracegirdle, P. J. (2012). The dead family Diaz. Illus. by Poly Bernatene. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.

Angelito is nervously excited about celebrating El Dia de los Muertes as he travels with his family, the Dead Familia Diaz, into the Land of the Living on the night of this eerie holiday. He has told no one that he is actually scared of meeting an actual living person with their pale and squishy skin. On the night of the festival he gets separated from his family. As he fearfully looks around at the loud and colorful festivities he runs into Pablo (who is wearing a skeleton mask.) The two boys shyly admit to their fears and together move on into frolic of the evening’s entertainment and have so much fun! As the evening comes to a close and Angelito finds his family, illustrator Beratene creates a double page spread to show the shock and realization of the two boys as they discover whom they really are. With this realization comes the understanding that being different isn’t necessarily a bad thing or something to be feared. When the story closes each boy is looking forward to next year’s celebration. Enjoy the author’s website or follow the author on Facebook. ReadWriteThink offers a lesson idea entitled “Collaborating on a Class Book: Exploring Before-During-After Sequences.”

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Bullard, Lisa. (2012). Daniela’s Day of the Dead. Illus. by Holli Conger. Minneapolis: Lerner/Millbrook Press.

In four short chapters (“Waiting for Day of the Dead,” “An Altar for Grandpa,” “At the Market,” and “Celebrating!”), the author provides introductory information about Day of the Dead, a holiday with which many youngsters may not be as familiar as they are with Halloween, Christmas, and Hanukkah. Daniela explains how her ancestors brought the traditions of this day intended to celebrate, not mourn, the dead to their home in the United States from their homes in Mexico. She describes filling an altar with his favorite objects in honor of her grandfather, shopping for sugar skulls and funny skeletons, buying and eating bread with tiny toy skeletons tucked inside, and honoring the dead by visiting their graves. Back matter includes a glossary, website and book suggestions to learn more, and directions for making a skeleton from macaroni. The illustrations are filled with bright colors and smiling faces, all enabling young readers to regard the holiday, celebrated on November 2 in the United States, in a positive light. As young readers are reminded in the text, death is simply a part of life and not necessarily something scary.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Catrow, David. (2012). Monster mash. New York: Orchard Books.

Catrow has reimagined the song lyrics to the popular 1962 classic song, “The Monster Mash” written by Bobby “Boris” Pickett and Lenny Capizzi. Using watercolors, gouache, and pen and pencil Catrow has created a cast of monsters that young readers will love. Though the text is scant and simple as the words dance through the song lyrics, the illustrations are so much fun and children will love pouring over each page looking at the details and action including the monsters drawn right into the title on the title page where the fun begins. The story/song opens with a scientist “working in the lab late one night” (page 1) and the monsters begin to appear everywhere. Zombies, Wolf Man, Dracula (and his son!), ghouls, vampires, are dancing and creating mayhem throughout the castle. When the coffin-bangers and their vocal group The Crypt-Kicker Five show up the mash gets even more rollicking. Adults reading this book will immediately begin to hear the song in their heads and will probably develop a rhythm to reading this book aloud. Young readers will enjoy viewing and listening to the original song and animated version of the Monster Mash. Perfect for a classroom Halloween party! Learn more about this author/illustrator at his website and blog.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Hiti, Samuel. (2012). Waga’s big scare. Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books/Lerner Publishing Group.

Waga might be small, but Waga is a terrifyingly mean and nasty little monster that has the biggest scare. When Waga discovers that Waga’s scare is gone, the story takes off in a series of scenes where Waga is desperately trying to find the scare. Waga must find the square before sunrise or Waga will disappear forever. Hiti comes to the picture book genre by way of his comic book career, so Waga has a fierce cartoon-like appearance. Pictures in bold red and black add to the scare factor in this book, but as Waga goes in search of the scare the action takes a bit of a silly turn. Waga searches the monster parade and the creepy forest, dark caves, every nook and cranny in the graveyard, and then squeezes through drain pipes, creeps down the hallway until Waga finds the scare under YOUR bed! This will be fun for reading aloud. Author/illustrator Sam Hiti has an active website, blog, and tumblr posts. If you are looking for a simple white board interactive or a computer lab activity, students will enjoy Scholastic’s Monster Maker site.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Hood, Susan. (2012). Just say boo! Illus. by Jed Henry. New York: Harper.

Three children dressed as a vampire bat, a witch, and a shark go trick or treating with their father on Halloween night. Each double page spread places them in different situations throughout the evening as they walk through woods and wind and encounter jack-o-lanterns and ghosts and even friendly neighbors. Each encounter written in rhymed phrases asks the question what would you say or do? Often the answer is “just say boo!” As the evening continues however, the pattern changes a few times and the rhyming answer is sometimes “Ewww” or “Thank you.” Teachers will find this book an excellent read aloud not only for the rhyming nature of the story but also for the writing pattern it presents for teachers to encourage young readers/listeners to try their hand at writing. Muted sepia illustrations give a soft presentation to the storyline. Visit the author’s website for more information and a very fun book trailer featuring young trick or treaters.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Johnson, J. Angelique. (2012). Making a jack-o’-lantern, step by step. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.

Many primary classrooms visit pumpkin farms during the month of October where students pick out a pumpkin and take it home. This is the perfect nonfiction text for students to read that will help them carve a jack-o’-lantern. The full-page photographs show a family visiting a pumpkin patch, picking the right pumpkin, getting ready to carve, preparing the pumpkin and making the jack-o’-lantern. In addition, most pages contain pumpkin or Halloween facts. Families could follow all of these steps and be ready to showcase their glowing jack-o’-lanterns on Halloween eve. This book would also make a fun read aloud. This book is part of a series with other titles on caring for a pet, recycling, and fighting a fire.

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

Lachenmeyer, Nathaniel. (2012). The boo! book. Illus. by Nicoletta Ceccoli. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

This hauntingly beautiful book may attract more adult admirers than children. The idea behind this book is that books can be haunted just like houses can be haunted. Ghosts may have taken up residence within the pages of the book and do some mischievous things within the pages of the story. The entire storyline is cautionary to warn the reader about the clues that will tell them whether the book is haunted or not. Things like if the book feels cold when you place it near your ear or if you hear something that sounds like a ghost holding its breath and if you discover that the book IS haunted, never read it on the anniversary of the day the ghost arrived in the book or you will be sucked into the book yourself! Other mischievous things that might happen are words suddenly mixed up or characters and plotlines shifting around. The somewhat bizarre illustrations are created with plasticine puppets; acrylic paint and digital photographs that give a surreal look to the pictures. Read about other scary books in ReadWriteThink’s Chatting About Books podcast entitled “Get Spooky with Matthew McElligot.”

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Schuette, Sarah L. (2012). A Halloween cookbook: Simple recipes for kids. North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press.

Just like the title says, this book contains easy step-by-step recipes for Halloween. Some of the recipes include jack-o'-lantern juice, eyeball salad, and witch fingernails. Young children will enjoy making these tasty treats at school or at home. Teachers could set up a center where students read the directions and follow the photographs to create a ghoulishly delicious snack. For example after studying spiders, students could make the crunchy spider recipe with chocolate cookies, peanut butter, and pretzel sticks. My five-year-old daughter and I enjoyed making and eating these together. Each recipe contains an ingredient list and tool list to help adults. Implementing cooking teaches literacy, science and math plus it is so much fun!

- Deanna Day, Washington State University Vancouver

GRADES 4-6

Dahl, Michael. (2012). Hocus pocus hotel. Illus. by Lisa K. Weber. Minneapolis, MN: Capstone.

Charlie Hitch Hitchcock is wary about accepting the invitation from school bully Tyler Yu to meet him at the old hotel after school because he is afraid he wants a fight. As it turns out, however, Ty wants Charlie to help him solve the mysteries that are going on at the hotel. It turns out that Tyler lives at the Hocus Pocus Hotel and that it is a retirement hotel for professional magicians. The elderly magicians have something strange going on in room 1413 in addition to disappearance of hotel belongings like shower curtains, spoons, and bowling pins. Strange sounds and shadows flicker through the hotel. Charlie is blessed with acute visual memory and as the boys move through the hotel looking for clues to the disappearances, Charlie’s photographic memory enables them to put all the clues together. While in search of clues they learn a lot about magic and performing magic tricks. The author has included instructions on how to perform these tricks for readers on journal paper throughout the book. A few simple mysteries are solved but they lead to an overarching mystery surrounding the hotel. This is the first in a new series. For readers with smart phones or iPads or teachers with white boards, the QR code on the back cover of the book will lead to more resources for using the book to learn more about magic. The Hocus Pocus Hotel has its own website with many extra fun resources for readers including a video and magic tricks, or find a ReadWriteThink lesson entitled “Celebrate Halloween.” 

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Fagan, Cary. (2012). The boy in the box. Boston/New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Clarion.

Although eleven-year-old Sullivan Mintz loves to juggle, his parents pay little attention to Sullivan or his hobby. They are preoccupied with running the Stardust Home for Old People, whose residents enjoy chatting with Sullivan. In fact, one of the residents, eighty-one-year-old Manny, is Sullivan’s best friend. Sullivan is the favorite target for Samuel Patinsky, a classmate who relishes relentlessly ridiculing him. When he and his sister Jinny see notices for a traveling medicine show, Sullivan is astonished that the performers are children just like him. He ends up being kidnapped by Master Melville and his wife and joins the other youthful performers who are prisoners of the Melvilles. His parents are left thinking that he has drowned. As Sullivan deals with the cruelty of his keepers, he also bonds with the other children who nurture him and help him hone his juggling skills. Sullivan's determination to juggle and his affection for the elderly charges under his parents' care are admirable, but it’s frightening to think of the Melvilles traveling through the countryside with a band of kidnapped children with no questions being asked as they pass from town to town. Even worse, Sullivan somehow feels as though he has found a place where he belongs despite being imprisoned except during practice time and performance time. Obviously, he will try to run away eventually and return home, but until then, he seems to have chosen the traveling life of a performer being used to sell Master Melville’s special elixir.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Hennessy, B. G. (2012). The scary places map book: Seven terrifying tours. Illus. by Erwin Madrid.  Somerville, MA: Candlewick.

Seven different maps take readers on journeys to some really scary places, enabling them to hone their map reading skills while encountering some downright frightening moments. Based on mythology, one of the tours takes readers to the “Land of Mythical Monsters.” The other map adventures are based on other spooky tales about pirates, vampires, gunslingers, and witches, among others. The author employs clever word play; for instance, readers travel to the “Western Terror-tories" to see what Gruesome Gus has left behind. Other trips include “The Ghostly Galleon Cruise of the Seven Seas,” a “Trip through Transylvania,” a “Tour of the Wicked Woods and Witchfield Village,” a “Sleepwalking Tour of Nightmare House,” and a “Museum of Haunted Objects.” The digital illustrations add an air of spookiness to the already-scary-sounding map titles. Readers will need to read the directions for each map and follow the grids in order to navigate the area, and they’re sure to enjoy going back through the maps again and again in order to skirt disaster. Back matter includes additional challenges as readers are encouraged to return to each map and look for even more details, including ruby slippers and a bloodmobile. While it is helpful if readers are familiar with the stories on which these maps are based, the chills and thrills they experience through this book might prompt them to search for more about their spooky subjects.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Oceanak, Karla. (2012). Egghead. Illus. by Spanjer, Kendra. Fort Collins, CO: Bailiwick Press.

Like many kids, Aldo Zelnick loves science, but he sees no reason to learn Spanish. He forgets that all the A’s on his report card don’t make up for that one D in Spanish. His best friend Jack becomes upset when Aldo denigrates the Spanish language and thinks that speaking English is fine enough for him. Aldo has plenty of things on his mind, especially with Halloween around the corner. Luckily for him, his father takes him to a costume store where he finds a costume of Albert Einstein, his hero. Jack and Aldo are in a race to collect the most candies, but the race loses importance because of the rainy night and the disappearance of Jack’s grandfather. The elderly man, who used to be a scientist, now has Alzheimer’s. In rescuing him, Aldo uses all the Spanish he knows and keeps him safe. Jack is grateful enough to share his rain-soaked candies with Aldo. Filled with many humorous moments, the book is engaging to read and introduces surprising amounts of science information and experiments casually. It is a good example of a writing mentor text with a perfect narrative voice and pictures that tell their own story. A word gallery in English and Spanish at the end of the book lends authenticity to the reading experience. The title might be useful in classroom discussions on diversity and celebrating the cultures represented in the classroom.

- Rani Iyer, Washington State University Pullman

Snicket, Lemony. (2012). “Who could that be at this hour?” Illus. by Seth. Boston: Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers.

And so begins the new young Lemony Snicket series, “All the Wrong Questions,” the first of four volumes. Young Snicket, nearly 13, is apprenticed to the rather lame-brained S. Theodora Markson who is affiliated with a strange and rather mysterious unnamed organization (though readers of A Series of Unfortunate Events will guess … VFB). What else would readers expect from Snicket (aka author Daniel Handler)? Snicket and Markson have been hired by Mrs. Murphy Sallis to find a valuable missing object, a statue called the Bombinating Beast. Their search takes them to the seaside town, drained of seawater, of Stain’d-by-the-Sea. Though Snicket is on the case, his mind is also on a situation at home. Friends, Moxie and Ellington are trying to help … possibly. In his signature zany writing style, full of literary references, vocabulary and innuendoes, the author has returned readers to the adolescent life of Lemony Snicket in this prequel for the first of this adventure quartet. Teachers will find more back matter at the USA Today interview with the author. Teachers and readers will find many fun “extras” at the publisher website.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Swindells, Robert. (2012). Trick or treat. Minneapolis: Lerner/Stoke Books.

Like many teens, Harley Davidson has no intention to haul his younger siblings from door to door in search of candy on Halloween. After all, there’s a school dance that night, for which he plans to don his authentic Dracula costume in order to impress Uma Broom, a girl on whom he has a crush. But when his mother refuses to compromise, he finds himself walking along the sidewalk with his brother and sister. Along the way, some sort of evil spirit in the form of a white piece of cloth distracts him from watching the children. He follows the whiteness until it seems to become a dress worn by Uma, who seems to beckon him across the street to a nearby pond where she skims along the water. By the time he returns to his young charges, they have seemingly disappeared. When he finds them, they are no longer interested in treats but are bullying a neighbor who refused to give them candy earlier. Who are these children? Although the ending comes too abruptly, readers will relish the creepiness and open-endedness of this very short story, and reflect upon how hard it is to explain some of the things that happen in the world. Read in the right way with the right types of voices and emphasis, this title could be a fine Halloween read aloud that just might scare the dickens out of its hearers.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

GRADES 5-8

Gallagher, Diana. (2012). Haunted love. Mankato, MN: Stone Arch Books/Capstone Imprint.

From the Claudia & Monica: Freshman Girls series, this quick novel will provide an interesting seasonal read for reluctant middle grade readers who like a bit of romance and high school friend drama. Claudia and Monica take turns narrating the chapters as they comment on life in high school from friends, to friends who become boyfriends, to high school parties and shopping. This episode in the series centers around Halloween parties, the two girls feuding over boys, new high school friendships, and the draw of the popular “in” crowd and deciding whom your real friends are. Use this time of year to study a classic that ReadWriteThink has explored, “A Directed Listening-Thinking Activity for ‘The Tell-Tale Heart.”

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

Valente, Catherynne. (2012). The girl who fell beneath Fairyland and led the revels there. Illus. by Ana Juan. New York: Feiwel and Friends/Macmillan Publishing Group.

Hugo award-winning author Cat Valente returns to Fairyland from her popular first book, The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making (2011). A year after the first adventure, September is now 13 and leaves her home in Nebraska to journey back to Fairyland. When she arrives, she quickly discovers things are not as she left them. Shadows have been stolen and everyone is living in fear, especially of the gruesome Alleyman who is the stealer of shadows. September learns that the shadows and the magic that goes with them are being sent to Fairyland Below and it is her very own shadow, Halloween, who is orchestrating the descent and despair among Fairyland Above. September is determined to set things right and plunges down into the darkness and depths of Halloween’s reign of terror. Though a few old friends appear in the story like Saturday and Wyverary, many new characters appear to join September on this dangerous quest to recover the missing shadows. Her goal is to awaken the Sleeping Prince and join forces against Halloween’s evil. Readers will find this sequel a darker and more grief filled volume than the first story of September and Fairyland. Teachers and readers will find a book trailer available at the publisher’s website or learn more about this versatile author at her website.

- Karen Hildebrand, Ohio Library and Reading Consultant

GRADES 7-12

Castellucci, Cecil. (2012). The year of the beasts. Illus. by Nate Powell. New York: Macmillan/Roaring Brook Press.

Partly because of the closeness in their ages, siblings Tessa, 15, and Lulu, 13, have always been close. But their closeness becomes a thing of the past after the girls go to a carnival without their parents. The merriment turns to sourness once things take an unexpected turn. When a romance blossoms between Lulu and Charlie, the boy on whom Tessa has designs, Tessa feels betrayed and left out. Although Tessa has her own admirer and a secret romance with Jasper, a neighbor considered a misfit by his peers, she cannot control the anger and jealousy that seethe through her every time she sees her sister or hears about Charlie. Having Jasper is not enough, and she is embarrassed to admit her attraction to Jasper. Even when Lulu apologizes for dating Charlie, Tessa is unable to forgive her sister, and her anger leads to tragedy. Alternating with this story is a graphic novel that shows Tessa as Medusa, snake heads writhing above her head, turning those around her to stone. Readers will enjoy trying to decide whether the book contains two separate stories or one story with different elements and perspectives. A cautionary tale, the story serves as a vivid reminder of how self-destructive jealousy and hatred can be. Tessa is so intent on having what her sister has that she loses sight of her own boyfriend and her love for her sister. There’s nothing more frightening than that, as this creative endeavor demonstrates.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Ellen, Laura. (2012). Blind spot. New York: Harcourt Children’s Books.

Sixteen-year-old protagonist Roz learns that she has macular degeneration, making it hard for her to see the world around her. Not only that, but she has difficulty in deciding who is trustworthy, making her have a blind spot when it comes to the wrong individuals. The book starts out promisingly—and chillingly—with the discovery of the body of her troubled classmate, Tricia Farni, revealed as the ice and snow begin to melt. What caused her to die? That's the central question in the novel, one that is never really answered although several possibilities are shared. The fact that Roz is unable to see clearly and then seemingly has lost her memory of a crucial night in her life creates a mystery for readers and throws suspicion for Tricia's death on various individuals, including Roz. The plot is filled with familiar elements that add to the story’s realism, including high school jealousy, unreliable boyfriends, unfair teachers bent on teaching lessons to those who rebel against them, and a main character unable to decide what she wants. Adding to the creepiness, the book's secondary characters are completely unreliable, and friendships and alliances are formed and dissolved rapidly. Even Roz's boyfriend is hard to pin down. In some respects, he seems like a good guy, especially near the book's beginning, but is he? Teen readers will enjoy trying to sort out all the clues in solving this murder mystery and gain a clear perspective on the emotional drama of high school relationships when merely getting through the day is a high-stakes matter.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman 

Hubbard, Mandy. (2012). Dangerous boy. New York: Penguin/Razorbill.

Improbably, quiet Harper Bennett has caught the attention of Logan Townsend, the handsome new boy in town. At first she’s filled with bliss because of the budding romance, but the secrets she learns about Logan and his twin brother leave her disoriented. Because the book opens with a scene showing Harper running for her life and then shifts back to Harper's happy times with Logan, readers are unable to gauge at first how the relationship began. In many ways, Logan seems to be a great guy, thoughtful and considerate. But there are hints about what's going on when he becomes troubled during thunder storms or when Harper encounters his twin brother, Daemon, in a creepy basement scene set in the crumbling mansion owned by the boys' uncle who is always on business trips. Restricted by fears that keep her from living life to its fullest as the result of her mother's death, Harper is a bundle of nerves in some respects and has a list of activities she avoids. Teen readers will enjoy watching Harper take chances while trying to figure out the truth about the boy to whom she has lost her heart. For Harper, though, falling in love may result in losing her life.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

Shan, Darren. (2012). Zom-B. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Londoner B lives with her abusive, racist father and her ever-patient mother. Mingled rage and shame seethe inside B, leaving her torn between doing what's right and pleasing her father. He blames the country's problems on its many immigrants while she has friends on whom he might not look too kindly. As the novel opens, the two laugh at news reports of zombies in a small Irish village, but the amusement turns to stark-raving terror on B’s part once zombies enter her high school, biting the students and teachers and eating their brains. At first, B and some of her friends manage to avoid the bloodshed, leaving other friends behind, only to find that the schools’ exits have been blocked. Somehow, B's father arrives to rescue her, but she feels ashamed at having betrayed her companions, even throwing one dark-skinned boy into the zombies' clutches. Although she hates her father for his attitude toward anyone different from him, B also recognizes that she is more like him than she wants to be. The book is fast-paced, drenched with blood and gore and gleeful descriptions of brain consumption. Readers will race through the book with relish, only to find that the story will continue in a future volume. There are plenty of unanswered questions about the individuals in hoods in the cafeteria, the strange friend of B’s father, her own nightmares, and what caused this zombie invasion. Those with weak stomachs might want to avoid the descriptive passages of zombies munching on humans.

- Barbara A. Ward, Washington State University Pullman

These reviews are submitted by members of the International Reading Association's Children's Literature and Reading Special Interest Group (CL/R SIG) and are published weekly on Reading Today Online. 

The International Reading Association partners with the National Council of Teachers of English and Verizon Thinkfinity to produce ReadWriteThink.org, a website devoted to providing literacy instruction and interactive resources for grades K–12.